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260 new liquor licences since 2005
Despite the announcement of a state policy to end alcohol consumption, as many as 260 liquor licences had been issued from 2005 and 2012, Parliament was informed today.However, it is a drop against the number issued during the previous years. The government gave these details to the House in response to a question raised by main opposition UNP MP P. Harrison.
Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, who answered , said 132 licences were issued in 2005, 35 in 2006, 42 in 2007, 36 in 2008, 40 in 2009, 51 in 2010, 41 in 2011 and 55 in 2012.
2,963 licences had been issued from 1994 to 2012. However, 432 separate licences had been issued for liquor sales at hotels and supermarket outlets from 2005 to 2012.
Raising a supplementary question, Mr. Harrison asked as to how the issuance of liquor permits had increased despite the much hyped ‘Mathata Thitha’ programme.
The Deputy Minister replied that the number had declined drastically after 2005 when the Mathata Thitha policy was announced. He also said the government had stopped issuing liquor permits for supermarket outlets now.
“Licences are now approved only for hotels,” he said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)
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