Diana happy about introduction of flexible opening hours for liquor shops, bars

13 November 2023 10:07 pm Views - 3435

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - State Minister Diana Gamage welcomed the budget proposal to introduce a system of flexible opening hours for liquor shops and bars.

The proposal was made in the 2024 budget by the President to introduce flexible opening hours for bars and liquor shops in order to stop illicit liquor sales. It was also proposed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to revise related regulations for tourism promotional activities and a new policy for soft liquor licenses.

“I am happy about this proposal and it is about time that Sri Lanka has some kind of system to stop illicit liquor sales,” she said when contacted by the Daily Mirror.

Ms. Gamage, while highlighted the need for extending the closing time of liquor shops and bars, even proposed that they should be open 24 hours a day.