Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya disclosed today that discussions are underway to revise the opening hours of liquor shops in an effort to address concerns related to the surge in illegal alcohol consumption.
The announcement came during the 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Excise Officers' Association.
Minister Siyambalapitiya highlighted the existing laws on liquor in the country, suggesting that certain regulations inadvertently contribute to the rise of illegal alcohol production and distribution.
He expressed concern over the significant growth disparity between legal and illegal liquor, revealing that legal liquor has witnessed a 50% increase over the past two decades, while illegal liquor has surged by a staggering 500%.
Attributing part of the issue to the proliferation of liquor shops, Minister Siyambalapitiya pointed out regional disparities. He emphasized that in the Mullaitivu district, there is one liquor shop for every 6,000 people, whereas in the Kandy district, the ratio is one liquor shop for every 990,000 people. Additionally, he noted that some areas necessitate individuals to travel approximately 80 kilometers to access a liquor shop.
The Minister's announcement marks a pivotal step in addressing the challenges associated with the liquor industry, aiming to strike a balance between regulation and accessibility while curbing the growth of illegal alcohol trade in the country.
