Distillery sealed on adulteration report

By Damith Wickramasekara

A distillery company in Dankotuwa has been sealed by Excise Department officials following allegations that an illegal chemical had been used in the production process and the CID has been called in to investigate the case. The company known as Rio marketing was in possession of 26 barrels of the particular chemical when the factory was raided. The Excise Department has ordered the withdrawal of all production of the liquor.

Excise Commissioner General Wasantha Hapuarachchi confirmed the raid and said a directive had been given to withdraw all production of the company which has been put into the market. He said people who consume the liquor could suffer side effects such as blindness in the event the particular chemical was used in the production of the liquor.

The distillery has been placed under guard by the Excise Department following the raid. An Excise Department OIC in the area also has been interdicted pending an inquiry. Mr. Hapuarachchi said the Government Analyst’s report confirms that the chemical had been used in the production of the liquor. The distillery owner A Francis had been produced before the Marawila magistrate and granted Rs. 100,000 surety bail.