The Excise Department said yesterday that the “Kama- Colombo” nightclub did not possess a valid liquor licence and was functioning illegally at the time of the alleged assault on a youth on Saturday.

“They were functioning completely illegally. The liquor license of Kama- Restaurant, at No. 32B, Sir Mohomed Macan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 3, was suspended in June. Thereafter they had no authority to function as a club”, said Excise Superintendent Prabath Jayawickrema.

Jayawickrema said that the liquor licence was suspended at the request of the original holder of the licence.

“The licence was suspended at the request of the original holder of it, and that means it’s a complete cancellation. They cannot function as a club or sell alcohol within it,” he said.

Jayawickrama added that the law enforcement authorities of the area had the right to ensure that the club did not operate after being informed of the suspension.

“We don’t issue or extend liquor licenses without the recommendation of the local police station, and upon suspension they are informed of it” he said.