Sri Lanka to Remove Excise Offences from Organised Crimes Bill

The Attorney General's office has committed to removing excise offences from the Organised Crimes Bill during proceedings before the Supreme Court, addressing concerns about the breadth of the legislation.

The announcement signals a narrowing of the bill's scope, which has been subject to constitutional review. By excluding excise violations, the revised legislation will focus on core organised criminal activities rather than revenue-related infractions.

The move reflects ongoing dialogue between the government's legal representatives and the judiciary regarding the bill's final form. Excise offences, traditionally handled under separate regulatory frameworks, will continue to be prosecuted under existing taxation and customs legislation.

The Supreme Court's consideration of the bill highlights the legislative scrutiny applied to major criminal law reforms in Sri Lanka. The modification is expected to address judicial concerns while maintaining the legislation's central objectives in combating organised crime networks.