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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has issued 538 tender alcohol licenses below laws began in 2022 to assist the tourism sector, State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya mentioned.
“Underneath a gazette notification in 2022 on a request by the tourism trade to advertise tourism, the federal government started issuing tender liquor licenses,” Minister Siyambalapitiya informed parliament.
“538 tender liquor licenses had been issued after that. Anybody with a vacationer allow was capable of apply for this license for his or her restaurant.”
In line with a World Well being Group report, since 2004 Sri Lanka’s unlawful alcohol gross sales have gone up by 500 %, in comparison with 50 % authorized gross sales, he mentioned.
Sri Lanka has excessive taxes on authorized alcohol which promote bootlegging.
“The federal government at no level promotes liquor utilization,” Siyambalapitiya mentioned. “One of the best instance of that is that we tax near 75 % of the value of a bottle.
“However the authorities has to comply with insurance policies that promote tourism.”
He was responding to a query by Opposition Chief Sajith Premadasa on issuing liquor licenses to distributors in proximity to colleges.
“We now have to make sure that these permits are issued to distributors in applicable areas,” Siyambalapitiya mentioned.
“This turns into a problem in non-tourist areas. Primarily based on public complaints we’ve cancelled three liquor licenses in such vicinities, and we’ll accomplish that sooner or later too.”
The dearth of entry to authorized alcohol retailers may also promote moonshine gross sales, Siyambalapitiya mentioned.
Authorities had been conducting a evaluate to seek out the unfold of authorized retailers.
“For instance in Nuwara Eliya there are 115 retailers which is one for six,809 individuals,” Siyambalapitya mentioned.
“However in Mullaitivu there’s one for 990,000 individuals.”
A complete of 4,570 permits of 25 totally different classes have been issued, Siyambalapitiya mentioned. (Colombo/September07/2023)
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