17 June 2021 11:31 am Views - 3404
The COVID-19 task force has decided not to allow consumers to purchase liquor online through supermarket chains, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.
Though the approval was granted to the Excise Department by the Finance Ministry to allow consumers to purchase liquor online, the government later decided not to go ahead with the proposal considering the number of objections from the health association and current Covid-19 situation.
The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) also expressed their grave concern over the Finance Ministry's decision to permit the online sale of liquor.
They requested the government not to provide permission for online sales of alcohol which will make matters worse for all Sri Lankans already suffering from many hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Excise Department was waiting to implement the proposal following the approval from the COVID-19 task force.
However, General Silva said that the COVID-19 Prevention task force has not granted approval for the proposal .(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)