Liquor stores and retailers with a valid excise license will be permitted to operate in their respective areas during the hours stipulated in the liquor permit, Deputy Excise Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe issuing a statement said. 

 

The directive has been issued by the Commissioner General of the Excise Department, following instructions of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development. The directive is to be carried out in line with curfew regulations, social-distancing practices and the general Covid-19 prevention and safety guidelines.

 

Legal action will be taken against liquor retailers who fail to meet these conditions, Kumarasinghe said. Excise officers have been issued instructions to take necessary action in order to maintain discipline across the liqour industry, the statement said.