Ministry wants restrictions on soft liquor removed

22 September 2017 06:43 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Ministry of Tourism and Christian Affairs has proposed the removal of restrictions imposed on soft liquor sales in the 2018 Budget, Minister John Amaratunga informed Parliament today.

Responding to a question asked by UNP MP Budddika Pathirana the minister said his ministry had requested the Minister of Finance to ease laws pertaining to soft liquor such as beer and wine so that these types of alcoholic beverages would be freely available.

“Availability of soft liquor is essential for the tourism industry. Soft liquor is available in almost all shops in other countries which focus on the tourism industry whereas it is the opposite in Sri Lanka. Therefore we have requested for the restrictions imposed on soft liquor sales be removed,” he said.

The MP who asked the question said several beer manufacturing companies in the country are carrying out a massive production drive having got to know the government's plan to remove sales restrictions on soft liquor.

Meanwhile, the minister said the government was also focussing on imposing a tax on apps and on online hotel booking services and highlighted that fact that these ventures earned large revenue while the government and the country lost at the end of the day. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 15

PataPata Friday, 22 September 2017 08:03 PM

Good and very sensible. At least a bit of sanity for a change.

Hossa Friday, 22 September 2017 09:27 PM

Here in Italy we can buy wine from Coffee shops! Sadly JO and gang willshout against this and drag SL backwards

ceylon Friday, 22 September 2017 08:06 PM

tax tax tax.before talk taxhelp people to make more incomes. via DM Android App

Sambo Friday, 22 September 2017 08:09 PM

Dear Mr. Minister. In this country straight forward actions are not allowed it's a sin. But you can do anything underhand its no sin.

Alex Friday, 22 September 2017 09:17 PM

Good idea but Minister, it is too early.Our people are not matured enough to enjoy that. First, they sell beer but later something else in beer bottles and also misuses the license.

malij Friday, 22 September 2017 09:53 PM

Any restrictions on Viagra???

K Perera Friday, 22 September 2017 10:47 PM

Dear Mr. Minister, I really admire your wise decision.

Manuel Benjamin Saturday, 23 September 2017 09:56 AM

Being a Christian you are in favour of Beer

Aladeniya Kirimathaya Saturday, 23 September 2017 09:59 AM

Well, we know that you are consuming Expensive Hard Drinks daily and advising others to drink beer an wine, what is the logic on it?

Baybatha Bannis Mama Saturday, 23 September 2017 10:01 AM

If you would have requested the FM to bring down the Tax on liquor and allow the poor man to enjoy any branded liquor then there is some sense.

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 23 September 2017 10:22 AM

Not only the free trade in soft alcohol should be allowed, but also the tax should be abolished. In Germany and other countries only the VAT is levied on beer and wine.

winnie Saturday, 23 September 2017 10:25 AM

even in Malaysia, a Muslim majority country, most corner shops and eating houses sell beer. License is not required to sell them.

MOHAMED FAROOK Saturday, 23 September 2017 04:37 PM

DEAR MINISTER ,SIR, WELL YOUR IDEA NOT BAD BUT FIRST OF ALL IF YOU CAN STOP MINISTERS CHEATING THE GOVERNMENT THEN THE TAX WILL BE LOW, PRICES OF ALL COMMODITIES WILL BE LOW AUTOMATICALLY,SOFT LIQUOR,HARD LIQUOR OUT OF THE QUESTION

wiz khalifa Monday, 25 September 2017 02:38 AM

Hopefully they will remove restrictions on soft drugs too

G.m. Jayawardena Monday, 25 September 2017 09:33 PM

This is a good move and well come by many ......but this is contradictory to the voice they made against MR regime during the presidential election campaign... they said the country was ruined by ethanol, Casino and narcotics producers of MR supporters... and soon after the election they close the wine stall in CWE super markets unnecessarily...

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Ministry wants restrictions on soft liquor removed

Comments - 15

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