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Lanka among top boozing nations

11 March 2013 05:26 am - 47     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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High spirited Sri Lankans who crushed a so-called unbeatable terrorist outfit in 2009 has now set another world record by placing the country among the top boozing nations in the world, a study carried out by a local research firm showed.

According to Capital Alliance (CAL), the country’s falling hard liquor consumption in the pre-war era, particularly in 2008-09 appeared to have received an instant stimulus right after the conclusion of the war to shoot up the total consumption volume to 85 million liters by the end of 2012 from a low of 65 million liters in 2009.

Demonstrating this phenomenon, in 2010 alone, the consumption volume has increased by as much as 21 percent over 2009. Meanwhile the total hard liquor consumption volume grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6 percent in the period up to 2012 while the volume is expected to peak to 93.1 million liters in 2015 with a CAGR of 2.6 percent, (slightly below the global average growth of 2.8 percent).

As a result the country now ranks among the top boozing nations in the world when both recorded and unrecorded hard liquor consumptions are taken into account. Thus, in 2011 each Lankan is recorded to have consumed 11.2 liters of alcohol, below only to Czech Republic, France and Russia.

This development certainly will raise an eye brow particularly of the current regime who spearheaded a liquorfree righteous society way back in 2005 with the implementation of the  ‘Mathata Thitha’ campaign and censored liquor consumption scenes in electronic media.

The country’s illicit alcohol market, which still accounts for half of the liquor market that narrowed down from 65 percent market share in 2010 is further expected to shrink to 34 percent in 2015 due to the growth in per capita GDP levels, expansion of distribution network for licit alcohol (ease of access) and increase in health awareness of alcohol consumers.

Nevertheless CAL stated that with the expected duty increase at a CAGR of 8 percent and prices to increase at a CAGR of 12 percent over 2012-16, the demand  for licit liquor could tend to slowdown.

The CAL report also highlights that moonshiners offer illicit liquor for a price less than 50 percent of its licit counterparts and still enjoys a gross profit (GP) margin of over 60 percent (vs. licit liquor GP margin of 14 pc).

It further reveals Sri Lankans’ unfettered preference for Special Arrack which constitute 71 percent of the total liquor market of which 87 percent of them are to Special Arrack made by Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC who commands a market share of 75 percent in the legal local hard liquor market. (Dilina Kulatunga)

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  Comments - 47

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  • Suq Madique Monday, 11 March 2013 01:27 PM

    ...and whose money does the state use? Yours and mine machang.

    Ki Monday, 11 March 2013 08:19 AM

    CHEERS !!! DRINK UP PEOPLE !!

    lalin Monday, 11 March 2013 08:31 AM

    what about corruption, nepotism, family rule, abuse of power, interference with the judiciary

    Ayyo Sirisena Monday, 11 March 2013 08:27 AM

    Are you drunk?

    Ayyo Sirisena Monday, 11 March 2013 08:32 AM

    yes..there are no brothels, rape, casinos, betting centres, bribery, corruption, murdering, kidnapping, white vans as well...ko may bothalay? thava shot ekak dala...devilled beef tikak kanna onay

    ParadiseIsland Monday, 11 March 2013 08:38 AM

    Truly Sri Lanka is a land like no other! :D

    Wije Monday, 11 March 2013 10:10 AM

    Jayawewa!wonder of Asia .?

    Just Thinker Monday, 11 March 2013 10:21 AM

    If KASIPPU too is included certainly it will top the list

    Sim Monday, 11 March 2013 10:55 AM

    What is the Income for the govt with the sale of Alcohal and cigrattes. Will they kill the hen that lay a golden egg?

    PRASANNAJIT Monday, 11 March 2013 10:58 AM

    We are jolly good fellooooows.

    Ranjit Monday, 11 March 2013 12:33 PM

    We are the Miracle of Asia. Thanks to Mathata Thitha.

    Shot Maker Monday, 11 March 2013 12:35 PM

    when kasippu is taken into account Srilanka will be the topmost Boozing nation in the World.

    MW Monday, 11 March 2013 08:25 AM

    on what basis are you comparing with other countries

    My name is donkey Monday, 11 March 2013 01:50 PM

    First we Google for sex , then we booze out of frustration that we are not getting any sex, after, we get to the road and rape women. We have reached top positions is first two, now time to match it with the rapings we do..we will not stop until we conquer the no 1 spot.No 1 can stop us!!!

    garawi Monday, 11 March 2013 02:06 PM

    Thithata Matha instead of Mathata Thitha!!!

    Cyril de Alwis Monday, 11 March 2013 02:52 PM

    They are people who stand in front of the queue.

    Cyril

    dass Monday, 11 March 2013 05:05 PM

    making of a Dharma Rajjaya in action

    S. Harindra Tuesday, 12 March 2013 12:00 AM

    Are we already ruining the future generations: our precious youth?
    Difficult to explain this danger to foreigners being a descent of a Buddhist country! via DM Android App

    Fahir Tuesday, 12 March 2013 12:00 AM

    BBS, If you guys are real "buddha puthra"s, prove yourself by eradicating alcoholism from buddhists in SL! You are simply turning a blind eye on smthing that is prohibitd in buddhism, but harrassing othrs for practicing smthng allowd for them. Shame on you. via DM Android App

    echo Tuesday, 12 March 2013 12:00 AM

    well said, Sira, Mathata Thitha, has made us break all records. we should be proud that we will soon be record breakers in all aspects, second to none. we are Buddhists who does not seem to know Buddhism! Subha Anaagathayak! via DM Android App

    Maxxa Tuesday, 12 March 2013 09:41 AM

    our sri lanka government capable of doing this also...with so many educated , disciplined minsters like Dr. and rest

    John Tuesday, 12 March 2013 10:13 AM

    This news is very sad indeed...Govt. should take steps to rectify this situation...

    piyalperera Tuesday, 12 March 2013 12:20 PM

    Wow, great achievement, and a record break, keep it up...

    BBS Lanka Wednesday, 13 March 2013 05:02 AM

    We are pleased to inform, now that we won the war on HALAL logo, Next we will tackle the "BEBADDA Syndrome",

    For a start we shall demonstrate to the people of Sri Lanka at all state, town and village level how bad alcoholism is ?

    Our members will get drop dead drunk and show it can ruin health, families and life. To perform this noble duty we ask our well wishers to donate enough kasippu so that we can perform our experiment. We don't want to burden the public to pay for expensive liquor.

    abdul Monday, 11 March 2013 06:43 AM

    Thank the government. People are simply drinking their sorrows away. Miracle of asia yh right! All for the wrong reasons. Its horrible n depressing. When will our people learn......?

    Yuri Monday, 11 March 2013 05:34 AM

    From the top to bottom !

    Lanky Monday, 11 March 2013 05:34 AM

    BBS and ACJU can work together to build booze free country

    My Motherland Monday, 11 March 2013 05:46 AM

    Bodu Bala Sena, please come forward and save my motherland!

    Andy Monday, 11 March 2013 05:48 AM

    yeah we can see this for past few months...

    sahdi Monday, 11 March 2013 05:48 AM

    VERY SORRY TO SAY..........! BEFORE THE POYA HOLIDAY YOU CAN SEE THE VERY LONG QUEUE AT WINE STORES....!
    BODU BALA SEANA (BBS)....! THIS IS OVER TO YOU.

    FFN Monday, 11 March 2013 05:49 AM

    It's far better to make Sri Lanka a booze-free country. Over to you BBS.

    ravisandu Monday, 11 March 2013 05:52 AM

    So what?... isn't it obvious....We are the miracle of Asia, everything is here, Chicago style duels between politicos in broad day light....National museum robbed by a drug addict...10 Million robbed in the middle of the city by police officers. Ministers & DIGs sons having free for all at the beach, No.. not the miracle of Asia, we are the paradise on earth. So all & sundry are having a ball with over flowing glasses......Cheers Amigo Milo!!!

    DHA Monday, 11 March 2013 05:53 AM

    Cheers......

    Angelo Coonghe Monday, 11 March 2013 06:23 AM

    thitata matha

    adrian Monday, 11 March 2013 06:31 AM

    Hoooraaaah!!!!! Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic , Hic ..................................

    human Monday, 11 March 2013 06:39 AM

    hehe are u nuts,this guys getting money from this,so they won't stop.hehe

    Kadira Monday, 11 March 2013 05:32 AM

    This is the alcohol consumed at state sponsored tamashas .

    kay parker Monday, 11 March 2013 06:50 AM

    This is a Buddhist country we don't import or consume any Alcohol .......

    indira Monday, 11 March 2013 06:51 AM

    Lokka, Kohomada mathata thitha.
    Thithata matha neda.
    Boruven duwana rata.

    mma Monday, 11 March 2013 07:12 AM

    Proud to be a Sri lankan....... ANGEL...

    Nodrog Monday, 11 March 2013 07:27 AM

    Its far better morons like you don't shove your ideals down other peoples throats. Live and let live.

    Ayyo Sirisena Monday, 11 March 2013 08:00 AM

    We are a buddhist country..that means we don't practise buddhism..we just haress other people for practicing their religions

    ANTON Monday, 11 March 2013 08:06 AM

    King Dutugamunu also knew the importance of alcohol,his elephant Kandula was said to have been given toddy before going in to the battlefield.

    up Monday, 11 March 2013 08:07 AM

    Free from Smoking, Gamblng, eating meat, etc.. Vegetarian nation at last.

    Daham Diviya Monday, 11 March 2013 08:21 AM

    It is unfortunate that the writer or readers are unaware that this jump in numbers are not due to more Sri Lankans drinking more & more liquor. Boost in tourism (Tourist arrivals) directly impact the consumption and if you do not believe please study the statistics.

    Dane Monday, 11 March 2013 08:16 AM

    and All the fuse for Halal ?...a land like no other.. Cheers

    Hasitha Monday, 11 March 2013 08:24 AM

    Ko me .......


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