Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC). sources said constructive action such as that quoted had impacted on revenue collections for the government.

About 165 raids were conducted during Q1 this year netted fiscal intake increase in tax revenue to Rs 539. million. ‘This was the sequel to Government action; the end result to decisive excise department action.’ said a spokesperson for the Company.

CTC continues to contribute significantly to Government revenue particularly that enhanced tax pay outs were more productive than permitting import of contraband.

The excise department’s compliance with applicable strictures and consequent enforcement have been received enthusiastically at CTC.

Contraband enters the country from the far East routed through the middle east, a Company spokes person said. It is a complicating exercise surreptitiously carried out by traders who attempt to thwart fiscal regulations and engage in illegal activities such as those described.

Irrespective of these debilitating influences, the Company continued their Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme (SADP). Through their Corporate Social Responsibility some 300 families have been recruited.

The Company has extended the SADP project to the Eastern Province correlating with the Governments rebuilding the East. ‘Neganahira Navodaya’ programme.