22 August 2023 06:23 pm Views - 2523
The price of alcoholic drinks should be reduced to enable an increase in sales and state revenue, State Minister Diana Gamage told Parliament today.
“Government could increase its revenue if prices of alcoholic drinks are increased. More people will purchase alcoholic drinks if prices are reduced. Tax revenue could be increased when more people purchase alcoholic drinks. If not we will have to ban alcohol in Sri Lanka and close the Excise Department,” the State Minister said.
“A supplement for alcoholic drinks named ‘Apple’ has been developed as the price of alcoholic drinks has increased,” she added.
The State Minister said Sri Lanka must have a night economy to attract tourists. Around 80 percent of foreign tourists who come to Sri Lanka visit our island only once. “They come only once as there is no nightlife in Sri Lanka. Tourists do not come to Sri Lanka to sleep at 10 pm. Many attacked me for calling for a night economy in Sri Lanka. I did not intend to promote any profession,” he said.
Also, she said musical shows should be allowed to continue till morning. “ Why should we stop musical shows at 11 pm? “No one is disturbed if musical shows are held on the beach side,” she said.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)