Colombo (News 1st); Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed relevant authorities to appoint a joint committee to restructure the Excise Department.

The Prime Minister made this comment when he held talks at Temple Trees on Wednesday (30) with trade union representatives to solve the issues faced by Excise Officers.

Transfers of Excise Officers based on political intervention should be stopped immediately, said the Prime Minister adding only personnel who meet the relevant qualifications should be considered for transfers.

Further, officers attached to positions that provide benefits must be given transfers according to a fixed schedule, reiterated the Prime Minister.

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