• Adulterated liquor or manufacturing of arrack by using  artificially prepared toddy has become an alarming issue in the country

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Suspicion surrounds over an incident where two persons who had  died over alcohol poisoning in Galenbindunuwewa and another hospitalised  in a critical condition were due to adulterated liquor, which has  entered the market owing to the negligence of the relevant authorities.

Three men who were allegedly consuming a bottle of arrack,  purchased from the market, at a house in Ratmalwetiya in  Galenbindunuwewa during the weekend had collapsed, where two of them had  died on the spot and the other had been hospitalised in a critical  condition. 

 
Preliminary investigations conducted by the  Galenbindunuwewa Police had revealed that the victims had fainted and  collapsed owing to the alcoholic beverage they were consuming at a family function held in line with the New Year.   

The deceased had been identified to be aged 36 and 53  years, whilst the third person who was being treated at the Yakalla  Hospital had been transferred to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, the  police said.   
When contacted about the substandard or adulterated liquor  into the market Excise Spokesperson Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe said  that he could not comment in-depth as the preliminary investigations  into the case is not completed yet.   
He said a team of Excise officials has been dispatched to  probe the matter and determine what exactly has happened to the victims.    

Adulterated liquor or manufacturing of arrack by using  artificially prepared toddy has become an alarming issue in the country.    

The law enforcement authorities as well as the Police  Special Task Force personnel on numerous occasions have raided  locations countrywide where toddy was artificially prepared by using  chemicals for the end production of arrack.   

Although, the Excise Department is the competent authority  to monitor the quality of the alcoholic beverages being manufactured in  the country questions are constantly raised whether the duty was  performed without negligence. 

• The victims had fainted and  collapsed owing to the alcoholic beverage they were consuming at a family function held in line with the New Year
• A team of Excise officials has been dispatched to  probe the matter and determine what exactly has happened to the victims