Excise to closely monitor breach of its law during polls

Over 900 personnel deployed countrywide to assist election operation

• Any lawbreaking incidents could be reported to Hotline 1913

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

The Department of Excise will closely monitor the instances of violation of its law pertaining to the Exciperiod starting from today up to tomorrow, where countrywide sale of alcoholic beverages will be barred on August 05 and 06.   

Departmental Spokesman Deputy Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe told the Daily Mirror last evening over 900 Excise personnel in various ranks had been deployed for the General Election operations including that of the polls duties as demanded by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka.   

He said as per the orders of the Chairman Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, the Excise Department had made arrangements to release about 20% of its non-uniform staff in the grades of clerical, accounts and administration as well as its uniformed staff for the polls duties.   

These Excise personnel will act as election officials, observers and monitors in polling booths and counting centres as well as their regular duties like patrolling and monitoring instances of breach of Excise law regarding the sale and free distribution of spirits.   

Deputy Commissioner Kumarasinghe, however, said that the traditional ways of candidates distributing free spirits amongst their supporters or voters following the election is concluded could not be seen in recent times, perhaps owing to the recent health crisis in the country and new laws in force preventing unlawful assembly of large crowds.   
The Spokesman said any lawbreaking incidents could be reported to the Excise Hotline 1913 round the clock.