Excise urges liquor permit holders to respect Quarantine Curfew

Will be fined Rs.100, 000 if premises closed sans any curfew restrictions

• All liquor permit holders should obey whatever conditions that come under quarantine curfew
• It is illegal to keep a wine store or a bar closed if such curfew is not underway

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

The Department of Excise yesterday urged all countrywide liquor permit holders to respect the prevailing quarantine curfew remaining in respective areas but warned tough legal action against those who violate the license conditions as per the individual’s own wishes.

Departmental Spokesman Deputy Excise Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe said all liquor permit holders should obey whatever conditions that come under quarantine curfew, other than the general conditions stated in their respective license.   

He said that in the same way any permit holder is not allowed to open a premise in an area where the quarantine curfew is imposed, it is equally illegal to keep a wine store or a bar closed if such curfew is not underway.   
As per the liquor license regulations a specific time period is stated allowing the particular premise to be opened for sales, like from 9.00a.m. to 9.00p.m.   

Keeping a place opened outside of this time period is a punishable offense and closing such a place without a government order or holiday is also an offense that could be subjected to a fine of Rs.100, 000, he said.   
He said that some traders tend to keep their liquor stores closed without a reason and that too is a violation of their permit conditions.   

The Deputy Commissioner requested the public and also the license holders to obey the health and safety guidelines issued under the quarantine curfew and the pandemic.  

• Some traders tend to keep their liquor stores closed without a reason and that too is a violation of their permit conditions