Excise Dept. denies reports of liquor supplies being stopped after March 22

The Excise Department today denied reports circulating on social media that alcohol production will be stopped from March 22 due to insufficient ethanol for its production due to the shortage of fuel and disruption of power.

Excise spokesman Commissioner Kapila lKumarasinghe said that there are 23 licensed distilleries operating locally to produce local liquor including arrack.

He said required material including ethanol in the local market for liquor productions is still available.

He said such false reports may lead to illegal stockpiling of liquor and unethical marketing strategies among breweries.(DSB)