Accordingly, all liquor outlets islandwide will be closed from their scheduled closing time on June 28, 2026, until their designated reopening time on June 30, 2026.
In addition, in line with the State Poson Festival, a Poson Week has been declared from June 26 to July 2, 2026, centered around the sacred city of Anuradhapura. During this period, all licensed liquor outlets located within the Divisional Secretariat areas of Mihintale, Nuwaragam Palatha Central, Nuwaragam Palatha East, and Mahawilachchiya will also be required to remain closed.
Under the directive, liquor outlets in these four Divisional Secretariat divisions must close from their normal closing time on June 25, 2026, and remain shut until their scheduled reopening time on July 3, 2026.
The Excise Department has urged all license holders to comply with the directive. Members of the public are requested to report any licensed premises that remain open or violate licensing conditions during the specified closure period by contacting the Excise Department’s 24-hour operations center via the hotline 1913.
The Commissioner General further stated that strict legal action will be taken against any establishment found violating the conditions of its excise license, and instructions have been issued to all Excise officers across the country to enforce the regulations rigorously.
