Allow liquor sales for foreigners on Poya days- Diana

An educated person Sunday, 12 March 2023 06:45 PM

One cannot force once religious, cultural beliefs on another. Whether it’s poya day, Christmas Day, MahaSivarathri day, Ed or any other days, liquor should be available. Not allowing liquor sales on such days will not transform one, into a religious person. By not selling we are fooling ourselves and becoming jokers.Those who dont want to buy, need not buy. Be educative enough to run your life.

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VJ Sunday, 12 March 2023 06:45 PM

Why not? If the country is dependent on tourism, we cannot impose restrictions on our visitors which are applicable to locals. Even the locals buy and stock the day before the poya.

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Gayan Samarasekara Sunday, 12 March 2023 06:55 PM

Liquor is available on all days including poya days at all the 5 star hotels that I have stayed. (I usually pay for the room before check in, and any dues are paid when check out, never checked out on a poya day. Foods served in between, included everything). If you go eat only, then I don’t know. But liquor availability has never been a problem for those who stay in the hotels for longer than 1 day for sure. Also for budget travelers, not having liquor on poya day is a part of the experience, which many tourists appreciate as a part of ancient culture.

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BUSHEL Sunday, 12 March 2023 07:06 PM

Make sure to include dual citizens

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sam Sunday, 12 March 2023 07:19 PM

Yes foreigners must have access to liquor on all days. liquor shops should not open 24 hours

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Rasika Sunday, 12 March 2023 07:28 PM

Still in parliament at tax payers expenses. Why not investigation complete on dual citizen case

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Cherath Sunday, 12 March 2023 07:30 PM

Look why do you want to cowe down to foreigners, when they are in our land, our culture and our values just to please them for their dollars. This is called creeping. Do they make exceptions in their countries when we visit them? I doubt it. Unless Gamage refers to white foreigners, not all countries allow sales of alcohol on all days and throughout the day. In Thailand for example no alcohol sale is allowed to anyone between 2pm and 5pm everyday and all day on poya days. That hasn't deterred over 60 million tourists visiting Thailand every year.

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Dee Sunday, 12 March 2023 07:31 PM

Please don’t do this. How many innocent poor people survive on the black market trade? Don’t only think of legal government revenue. Think of the voters as well!

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Galkissaboi Sunday, 12 March 2023 07:32 PM

As a foreigner who has been visiting SL for over 40 years, please DO Not implement this stupid idea.

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Sam Silva Sunday, 12 March 2023 08:05 PM

A honest Buddhist person will observe the poya day rituals regardless the liquor is available or not.

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Christo Sunday, 12 March 2023 08:24 PM

Good ideas by this lady, who I admire for her conviction and pride. But now all the pious will come out lashing against her.

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Anura samarasinghe Sunday, 12 March 2023 08:59 PM

Actually we have to cater our foreingne visitors to un interupt service ..practicallity is liquor must be issue every day to consumers poya days the drinkers are not involved religeous activities , they sought illegal moon shine due to non availability of legel things .

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Kingsley Wijesinhe Sunday, 12 March 2023 11:43 PM

Why only for foreigners? Drinking or not drinking on poya or any other day is a matter personal choice. Those who wish to observe sil can observe sil. Those who wish to drink can drink. We must distinguish between religiousness and religiosity.

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Amaran Monday, 13 March 2023 12:31 AM

Every country in the World has a tradition and principles which should NOT be bargained for petty ideas. For Example: Pork is prohibited in Middle Eastern Countries. If Hotels wants , they can have stocks and serve to the foreigners.

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Edie Monday, 13 March 2023 06:23 AM

Before she could propose more unethical topics ,kindly kick her out from the parliament as her proposals are ONLY good to be implemented in U.K. She is guilty of her citizenship. We need to rectify before she smuggles KG to U.K. or bring them to Sri Lanka and distribute to all school children !!!!

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Ranjan Monday, 13 March 2023 07:24 AM

Most Middle East Countries allow foreigners to buy liquor. I think it's a fair proposal

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dot Monday, 13 March 2023 07:52 AM

Why have they banned the sale of alcohol on certain day? Precepts ? Why not open bars to all and test the discipline of both the local and foreigner ?

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Is there a Lion in you Monday, 13 March 2023 08:39 AM

However. People belongs to whichever religion, Since the poyaday is Holiday, they get their liquor in the previous day.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Monday, 13 March 2023 09:35 AM

Dayan is 100% correct, people consume liquor more on poya days, since they stock liquor prior to poya days, on poya days illicit liquor has a great demand, this causes many deaths by brewing illicit liquor with poisonous substances.

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Jef Monday, 13 March 2023 09:39 AM

We live in a modern world today unessorry inconvinece restrictions should couse any down fall in any trade business etc..specialy a country that have huge potential in tourisam saving liquor should be normal ...

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PRACTICING BUDDHIST Monday, 13 March 2023 09:46 AM

Poya Day Holiday h as become 'A BIG' if not the 'BIGGEST JOKE'...Meat is Not Sold at Groceries BUT FISH IS SOLD. Is Fish not considered 'dead animals'? Also, Meat in 'cooked format' is allowed to be sold - so What a Joke this is! Furthermore, Poya Day has now become the Monthly Merrymaking Day - People travel to Resort Hotels to 'Enjoy" Poya Holiday!

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Sudda Monday, 13 March 2023 12:08 PM

Do you think tourists are coming for the liquor? Do you only want tourists that drinks liquor? This is not an issue. Tourists if they want, will do as the locals: plan. Some resthouses are smart . They don’t serve lion lager but lion tea. (Lion lager in a tea pot). The country has more pressing problems to deal with. Ignore this crazy woman.

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