Sri Lanka, Oct. 20 -- Trade unions attached to the Excise Department have expressed strong opposition to a statement made by the Commissioner General of Excise, M.B.N.A. Pemarathne, during a trade union meeting held on Friday (17) in relation to the staff members.

The Unity of Excise Trade Unions questioned how it is possible to claim that 20% - 30% of the staff within the Excise Department are corrupt, while the department's revenue target has been exceeded to reach 107%.

According to the union, the Commissioner General's remarks are baseless and appear to be a hasty statement made without proper understanding of public administration and taxation, which has caused distress among Excise officers.

The Executive Committee of the Union h...