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NATA directs hotels to ban ’’Happy Hour’’
Colombo, May 31 (Daily Mirror)- The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) has directed all hotels to refrain from granting any discounts on the purchase of alcohol products, claiming that it is a punishable offence.
In a letter to a leading star-class hotel in Colombo, NATA Chairman Dr. Alan Ludowyke said the NATA has received several complaints regarding hotels with liquor licenses offering discounts on the purchase of alcohol products, such as "Happy Hour" promotions.
The NATA has said in the letter that this practice constitutes a clear violation of Section 37(2) of the NATA Act No. 27 of 2006 and that violation of the aforementioned section is liable to a fine of Rs. 50,000, and each director of the offending establishment will be deemed guilty of the offence.
The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol has directed the hotel to comply with all provisions of the NATA Act No. 27 of 2006 (as amended).
Comments - 54
Comments - NATA directs hotels to ban ’’Happy Hour’’
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Nimal Friday, 31 May 2024 12:54 PM
Here we go again! This country has gone nuts. Treat your citizens as adults. It is a nanny state. If you are such a good country, why are you still undeveloped and bankrupt.
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Stanley Friday, 31 May 2024 05:06 PM
Hi Nimal, what has bankruptcy to do with following the law? It is lack of adhering to the law that is the problem in SL. At least, someone is implementing it, whether we agree or not.
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Perspective Saturday, 01 June 2024 08:06 AM
@Stanley, I don't see anything wrong with what Nimal said. His statement reflects a wider perspective, which is not only true but will also not improve in the foreseeable future of SL.
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Ysantha Friday, 31 May 2024 01:00 PM
This is the problem in Sri Lanka and outdated officials and also outdated laws. Any business should be able to offer discount's or similar irrespective of what they are selling. If they pay for the license and if they had paid for liquor then what is your problem. This act should be removed via parliament as things like this does not make any use for the nation. Foolish official without a brain.
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Aroose N. Friday, 31 May 2024 01:35 PM
My opinion is, this is a right decision as alcohol when they sell as it is there should be a fixed price because hotels buy finished product. However, hotel should be able to give discounts on other drinks where they mix alcohol. When one hotel gives discount, others will follow and ultimately everybody will end up covering the costs from other areas, which will be bad for the industry.
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Asanga Friday, 31 May 2024 01:10 PM
No mentioned about free alcohol in Casinos? Why only one sector is punished?
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ONLY FOREIGNOR'S WERE PERMITTED ENTRY AND ONE HAD TO SHOW YOUR PASSPORT AS PROOF Friday, 31 May 2024 05:55 PM
Asanga, you forgot the FREE FOOD AND CIGARETTES TOO, USE TO BE ABOUT 3 DECADES AGO, from what I was told when some friends from Canada visited the Casino in Colombo 3 walking distance from Liberty Plaza Shopping Centre. I was told prostitutes were also on the premises and left with a customer who had won on the tables.
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Ranga Friday, 31 May 2024 01:27 PM
LOL These guys live in 1970s
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M Fernando Friday, 31 May 2024 11:53 PM
70's were better. We were not peddling our collective bottoms to the highest bidder.
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Gunadasa Friday, 31 May 2024 01:28 PM
Hotel can reduce selling prices then no need to give discounts. When the prices are reduced, alcohol consumption could go up. This is not what NATA wanted
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Most Outlets Are Struggling If They Come Up With Happy Hour Saturday, 01 June 2024 07:23 AM
Correct. Not all outlets are doing well. A few hours of Happy Hours brings a decent crowd to cover some cost. Everyone wants to make a profit when going into a business venture. Allow the market forces to decide in which direction they want to take.
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katukanna Tissa Friday, 31 May 2024 01:34 PM
OMG, why do even hire these idiots ?
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Smh Friday, 31 May 2024 03:20 PM
As a Burgher I am proud to see a burgher name in a prominent position! But look at the comments here that support lawlessness of the hotels. NATA works to protect public health given that the government bears the cost of healthcare for the majority of people with tobacco and alcohol diseases. Hotels should respect the guidelines without being greedy for profits.
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Rod Friday, 31 May 2024 03:34 PM
its 21st century this old school fellows only worry about unwanted issues that have no benifits..hotels pub restaurants should have the right to promote the business having genuine offers for customers .just scrap the dam thing
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Daya Friday, 31 May 2024 03:37 PM
These guys has no idea about the current trends and destroying the tourist industry. System change also needs overall changes in the government staff.
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Drunkard Friday, 31 May 2024 03:40 PM
"HAPPY HOUR" is a very common concept worldwide. When tourists visit our country too, most of them look forward to such common opportunities and indirectly you can promote other sales also that are linked to consuming hard beverages. These idiotic authorities are still living in the stone age !!
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Ran putha Friday, 31 May 2024 03:48 PM
joke of the year!
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Chryshan Friday, 31 May 2024 03:56 PM
Then they should sell also at fixed rates prevailing at taverns. Hotel increase price by 200% and giving 50% discount during happy hour nothing to be surprised at.
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Mahila Saturday, 01 June 2024 07:05 AM
Totally UNFIT, INCOMPETENT and INEPT are the one's REMAINING to MAN as SL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE in this 'Triple blessed' "Pearl of the Orient" and "Teardrop Shaped Island" at the southern tip of the Indian Subcontinent, WHO DON'T KNOW ANY administration at all!!!??? That legislation, was intended and applied to "Tabbaruma", or 'ARRACK TAVERNS', NOT Bars as part of Restaurants and Hotels!!?? ARRACK retail per DRAM was Price Controlled, unlike Western Liquor - Scotch, Gin!!?? CAPABLE Sri Lankan ADMINISTRATORS, BEST SERVING THE WEST – popular Lankans Detest!? If the establishment takes the Board, "HAPPY HOUR" AWAY, Bins it, Hotels can still – any price – even “give away”, Dr. L ‘NONE THE WISER’!!! Dr. L wouldn’t Know – ‘GO HIS MERRY WAY’!!!???!!?? Intention of Promoting Tourism negating Garnering USD!? Discontented Tourists – Never to RETURN – with, without USD!!??
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BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 31 May 2024 04:05 PM
Fellows like this humbug idiot Alan Ludowyke are the reason we have massive ignorance in this country where wisdom is required and utter corruption and idiocy where proper development, planning and action is required.
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sam Friday, 31 May 2024 04:13 PM
NATA is going too far
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Steve Friday, 31 May 2024 04:35 PM
Idiots. Happy Hour is an international practice and normal in any hotel.
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Outdated Laws needs Younger Parliamentarians to Update Them Friday, 31 May 2024 04:40 PM
As mentioned by some, Outdated laws because government run by old useless fellas. Need a younger more vibrant team to lead the country. Happy Hour in countries promoting it can cover the daily wages and rental during slow hours. As long a reasonable profit is made during those “happy hours” and everyone will be happier. Customers will tip more to the staff too :)
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Ram Friday, 31 May 2024 04:56 PM
Alcoholic drinks are not price controlled. It is for the restaurant owner to sell it at any price. If the price is high less customers will patronise. If prices are reduced more will patronise. S. 37(2) is copied below. If Happy Hour is a violation how do the Duty free shops offer discounts when buying two or more of some varieties (2) A person shall not offer any prize, gift, cash rebate, discount or the right to participate in any contest, lottery or game to the purchaser of a tobacco product or alcohol product in consideration of the purchase of that product or to any person in consideration of the furnishing of evidence of such purchase.
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Tourist Promoter Friday, 31 May 2024 05:11 PM
Happy hour promotions are done Globally to attract consumers and tourists in dull periods. Alan Ludowyke better become updated or travel around the world and see how even countries like Japan have now achieved an 'over tourism` status. How can a county develop if consumers are not attracted to spend? Don't we have business friendly laws in this country?
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Azeem Friday, 31 May 2024 05:13 PM
Uncivilized official still exist!
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rani Friday, 31 May 2024 05:16 PM
Dumb people in power. First they put a standing charge for all hotels in Colombo and it is so expensive now to stay in Colombo it is cheaper to go to Bali or Bangkok. Outside Colombo the hotels are equally bad. Why would tourist bother to come to SL when other countries are offering cheaper alternatives ?
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Seeker Friday, 31 May 2024 06:10 PM
Alcohol is a menace to society and we should all ensure that alcohol consumption falls significantly. The multi-billion rupee alcohol companies aren't going to like it, but society will gain.
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Yohan Friday, 31 May 2024 07:59 PM
Lol. You know why it is not banned. Any idea. People like you are the biggest culprits for downfall of economy and unnecessary expenses for the government. Alcohol and tobacco are heavily taxed inorder for the government to get revenue. You are no different to that idiotic doctor pachadeniya who gave foolish advices to Gota
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JanS Friday, 31 May 2024 08:43 PM
I agree with you 100%. Alcohol does not rule at home in our culture, this intoxication was brought to us by the West. Alcohol leads to a lot of misery in the family and diseases, cancer of the throat, stomach, intestines and liver come from alcohol consumption. had it been up to me, I would have banned this whole shit.
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Shera Friday, 31 May 2024 11:33 PM
@Seeker I totally agree with you. In the long run alcohol does more damage to the people because of addictions and diseases.
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Agreeing Friday, 31 May 2024 11:54 PM
Yohan stop spreading nonsense. There is no connection between the economic crisis and the consumption of alcohol. The increase of expenditure for health care and loss of revenue due to the health problems of people etc. far outweigh the revenue due to tax. Alcohol is disgusting and is filth.
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Alcohol is for losers Friday, 31 May 2024 11:56 PM
So it is ok to have a toxic substance and allow people to poison themselves as long as it improves government revenue? Ok then hahaha. Stop talking nonsense, yohan
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Average Person Can Handle Themselves Saturday, 01 June 2024 07:05 AM
@JanS - will vehicles be banned coz it’s causing pollution? Most who drink can handle themselves. Those who get drunk won’t go often to hotels or restaurants as it will be too costly. They will get off the shelves at liquor shops or those sold illegally.
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Mahila Saturday, 01 June 2024 10:22 PM
SURE, they (Society) will "GAIN", which we all know and SAW (experienced) from 03/2022 for about a Year thereof!!!??? UNFOTUNATELY that "GAIN", was termed DEPRIVATION and STARVATION, which believe is a MISNOMER, labelled by authorities as due to Lack of Foreign Exchange (USD) to IMPORT FOOD, Essentials!!? Hence, the move to Earn USD, and ENTICE Tourists destined to other places to SL!!?? Tourists don’t come to SL, because they LOVE SL and Lankans, motivated to ensure Lankans are able to import food and stave-off, STARVATION!!?? If they have yearnings to be charitable, they’ll do so locally, within their own countries, enjoy ‘HAPPY HOUR’, at Local PUB!!?? Not in dismal SL??? Why? So NOW, the "move" to, 'KILL the DUCK that LAYS the GOLDEN EGGS' (USD
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joshua Friday, 31 May 2024 06:36 PM
A country going crazy thanks to outdated fellows at NATA.
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Mohamed Sinnen Friday, 31 May 2024 06:50 PM
Any country in the World which has this law. We will continue to be backward come what may.for many more decades.Someone who cannot or doesn't want to control has a quick ticket to the grave.
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Voice support for legal reform don't use your platform for name calling Friday, 31 May 2024 07:57 PM
Some people have criticized Dr. Ludowyke calling him a 'foolish idiot without a brain' . It's important to remember that he's following the law as established in 2006 (which yes, is outdated in my opinion). Dr. Ludowyke is a highly respected medical doctor in Sri Lanka with extensive experience (he isn't some political person out to benefit anything here), he is the current chairman of the NATA and rightly so, because he understands the dangers of alcohol abuse and tobacco. His current role requires him to enforce the existing legislation. Perhaps the focus should be on advocating for a change to the law, rather than criticizing Dr. Ludowyke for fulfilling his duties. If you believe the current regulations regarding alcohol discounts are outdated (which I think they are), consider voicing your support for legal reform.
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JanS Friday, 31 May 2024 08:41 PM
I agree with you 100%. Alcohol does not rule at home in our culture, this intoxication was brought to us by the West. Alcohol leads to a lot of misery in the family and diseases, cancer of the throat, stomach, intestines and liver come from alcohol consumption. had it been up to me, I would have banned this whole shit.
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Mahila Saturday, 01 June 2024 10:55 PM
Fully agree with you!! It affects SMOOTH, UNFETTERED FUNCTIONING EFFICIENTLY OF THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE PROCESS TOO!!!??? LESS CHILDREN and the SB Race would be slowly “WIPED-OFF” from Sri Lanka - the ‘SOLE GUARDIANS’ of BUDDHISM in the WORLD!!?? These guys may be trying to manipulate a process, similar to the Kurunegala NH, of pinching the Fallopian Tube on the Females - this time on Males - ability to produce healthy SPERMS and Stamina!!!??? You have "Saboteurs" - all
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Navi Friday, 31 May 2024 08:52 PM
Dr. Alan Ludowyke wanted to get some prominence? Who and where do they scrap the happy Hour. Why don't this Doctor visit Thailand now that its Visa free and see how the happy Hour works and its advantages to the business. Don't kill the gheese that lay the golden egg.
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Ravana Friday, 31 May 2024 09:18 PM
No storing alcohol above 2 litres at home, even if provided with receipts as proof of purchase No happy hours No happy endings No ayurveda herbs smoking No this No that Let's wait and see for the increase in troubles
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Murali Mani Friday, 31 May 2024 09:23 PM
What's the rationale behind this move? is that if the hotel gives drinks for free 1:1 then does that mean that the government is losing revenue. Doesn't the establishment already pay tax at the time of buying booze and as well as for what it's earned as revenue. We want tourists to come to our country, yet we establish such archaic laws that set us back decades. People fails to understand that a business can only attract customers if they have something enticing to offer and for such places, happy hours is where they make that happen.
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Mahila Saturday, 01 June 2024 09:18 AM
Murali, "...fails to understand that a business can only attract customers if they have something enticing to offer and for such places, happy hour is where they make that happen. ..." Conceptually, Humbly and Respectfully Submit your premise is totally, absolutely unfounded! You have missed MOST SALIENT POINT of Sri Lankan CIVILISATION – 1000’S OF YEARS!!?? They want to be country, professing 2600 years of Buddhist Culture and Civilisation!? No Necessity to FOSTER/ENTICE tourists for, so-claimed “much wanted” USD!!?? If we don’t have USD, No Need Imports, we'll STARVE!!?? Comes our Big Brother (BB – don’t mistake anything BIG) India, professing “Panchaseela” give another 4.5 Billion Dollar Package, including much looked forward ‘TOILETNADU’, is it TAMILNADU Rice – our staple, we relish gesture though complaining – “smells” FORGETTING CMC Tankers fertilised ‘KEERAKOTTUWAS’!!? What "Gourmet Experience"!!??
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Observers Saturday, 01 June 2024 12:17 AM
I have stayed in couple of 5 star hotels in Bali. Very recently at the Oberoi . Room rates are more or less to Colombo 5 star hotels . But the level of service and quality of the food from two different planets. Alcohol specially high end wine 50 % cheaper than Colombo hotels.During the week days in most places in between 4.00-7.00 pm they offer also take 2 pay for one. The govt is not involving in there price or in there culture. Buisness booms.
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Hon. Sarneris Saturday, 01 June 2024 07:39 AM
All forms of alcohol should be banned and all people should be made to observe sil to clear their minds.
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Mahila Saturday, 01 June 2024 10:36 PM
……….and ensure they are fed by the Dayakas!!?? Never mind if it causes shortage of Food?? The priests are very honourable, serve the "FLOCK" and hold the WELFARE of 'WHOM they serve', as 'FIRST AND FOREMOST'!? Ever Happy to share with followers!!??
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Cujo Saturday, 01 June 2024 07:47 AM
When officials think Happy Hour is more of a societal issue than "Ladies Night" where women are given free drinks and encouraged to drink till blackout. LNs not only promote binge drinking and excess promiscuity amongst women but also leave them extremely susceptible to sexual assualt. Like drink driving, those women chose to drink till completely devoid of their faculties. What happens to yiu after that is on you and your so called friends.
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Sambo Saturday, 01 June 2024 07:58 AM
Happy hours are granted all over the world and not in Sri Lanka only. This is given for one hour and in places even two hours for their customers and sales promotion. What ever decisions taken by our authorities is a disaster for this country.
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Boru Na ..... Atha .... Atha ..... Atha ..... (100% truth) Saturday, 01 June 2024 08:11 AM
Most of the cheap SLPP members only go to such places because they have the discounts. What about the punishment for them.
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Mark Karunatillake [Attorney-at-Law] Saturday, 01 June 2024 08:13 AM
Banning "Happy Hour" will bring losses for the Hotels and this law should be withdrawn with immediate effect.
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Jeevester Saturday, 01 June 2024 08:17 AM
These archaic and untenable laws have to updated to the present !!
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sam Saturday, 01 June 2024 09:40 AM
Use Feeling of joy or delight instead of happy
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Rod lang Saturday, 01 June 2024 09:51 AM
NATA going NUTS dont distroy great concepts that been implimented by clever smart operator's every devolop countries have monnday to friday happy hour specialy restaurants pubs hotels do so we'll majority meet after work great concepts happy hour everyones happy except SL....
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