Government to allow locally manufactured alcohol beverages to be sold on duty free premises

4 November 2023 09:30 am Views - 253

The local alcohol beverage manufactures were given assurance by the government this week that their product ranges will soon be allowed on the shelves of duty free premises. 
Investment Promotions State Minister Dilum Amunugama assured that the necessary approvals and amendments to the required legislations would be made, to allow the alcohol beverages produced in Sri Lankan on the counters of duty free premises. 
“Every other country has its products on these premises and we should also. We, the Investment Promotions Ministry, will initiate this,” he said at the 23rd Exporters’ Forum held this week. 

The issue was brought up by Lions Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, which highlighted that at present, there is no permission for the local alcohol beverage manufacturers to sell their products on duty free premises such as Bandaranaike International Airport, Ship Chandeliers and Port City. 
To pave the way for the selling of local alcoholic beverages on such premises, legal provisions need to be created. According to the Excise Department, the required recommendations have already been passed on to the Fiscal Policy Department of the Finance Ministry. However, the Fiscal Policy Department stated it has no such knowledge of any recommendations in this regard, as it has not received the same.