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Let’s have taverns in villages- Felix

06 Jun 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Despite the government’s much hyped policy against boozing, a Cabinet minister said in Parliament hat liquor shops should be made available at the village level for ordinary people to enjoy a drink after a hard day’s work.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera,, who was speaking during the debate on the new regulations imposed under the Excise Special Provisions Act and Customs Ordinance, said that the establishment of legitimate liquor shops would wean people away from consuming illicit liquor.

“Rural people have no option but to drink illicit liquor. They do it because there are no authorised liquor outlets in their areas,” he said.

“The Mathata Thitha programme of this government is always appreciated. But a small concession should be given to the ordinary people. It will help the country to get rid of ‘Kasippu’ which has caused a lot of damage to our society,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the minister said there was a racket where the liquor licences were sold to supermarket chains by the applicants. He said this was done in order to earn a profit as those who obtained a licence after paying the fee of Rs 22,000 could earn a large sum through this process. Mr. Perera said a handful of supermarket chains were involved in this racket.

He said this racket should be stopped immediately. (Yohan Perera and Kelum Bandara)

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Let’s have taverns in villages- Felix

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