• SLMA also expressed their grave concerns over the Finance Ministry’s decision to permit  online sales

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

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 associations and current COVID-19 situation. 

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) also expressed their grave concerns over the Finance Ministry’s decision to permit the online sale of liquor. 

The Excise Department was waiting to implement the proposal following the approval from the COVID-19 task force.