The Excise Department has decided to increase the number of licensed liquor shops from 1108 to 1578. Sri Lanka Latest News
The relevant gazette announcement is to be submitted to the parliament soon for approval.
Excise Commissioner General MJ said that the gazette announcement related to determining the number of liquor shops has not been revised for the last fifteen years. Gunasiri has informed the Finance Committee held in Parliament recently. The Commissioner General has mentioned that there are no licensed liquor shops in certain areas like Kilinochchi and measures will be taken to increase the above number as per the criteria of the gazette notification considering such needs.
Almost a hundred of the requests received by the department for these new outlets have met the required qualifications. So far 32 new licenses have been issued.
Aruna newspaper has reported that the commissioner general said that the person applying for a license should not be involved in any crime within the last five years and a police report is required in that regard.
