• Harmful effects of alcohol cause more than 200 diseases and injuries
• The government’s health expenditure on diseases related to alcohol consumption is Rs. 140 billion annually 

On the 4th of January 2023, the World Health Organization proclaimed that “No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health”. This is an important message as we commemorate the “World No Alcohol Day” which falls today (October 2) each year. However, despite this landmark proclamation of the WHO, alcohol continues to be the commonest toxin willingly consumed the world over.   

• Harmful effects of alcohol cause more than 200 diseases and injuries.   
• Worldwide 3 million deaths occur every year from alcohol dependence.   
• Alcoholism accounts for 5.1% of global burden of disease.   
• Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life - In people aged 20-39 years.  
• 13.5% of total global deaths are attributed to alcohol dependence.   

• 2005 - 2.6 liters per annum (https://www.statista.com )   
• 2010 - 7.4 liters per annum (source : Excise Department – 2010)   
• 2016 – 18.9 liters males over 15 and 6.7 liters females over 15, 14.9 liters for both sexes and   

3.5 liters per annum (source : WHO Report)   

• 2018 - 4.1 liters per annum (https://www.statista.com )   
• 2020 - 2.7 liters per annum and 18.9 liters for males only   

Source: World Health Organization (2018) Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health - Sri Lanka Fact Sheet.

• 2023 – 4.3 liters per annum – both sexes   

• 36.9 of males and 22.4 of females consume alcohol in Sri Lanka.   
• Daily expenditure for consumption of beer and arrack is Rs.400mn and Rs.600mn respectively (NATA Fact Sheet 2023).   
• Low income families spend 1/3rd of their total income on alcohol & tobacco.   
• Around 18,000 men die annually from alcohol related deaths.   
• Per capita consumption of alcohol in Sri Lanka is 3.5 litres - - This is the highest among SAARC countries.   
• Per capita consumption among males alone is 18.9 litres.   
• Government health expenditure on diseases related to alcohol consumption is Rs. 140 billion annually.   

• The disease burden – cirrhosis   

(Sri Lanka has the second highest rate of cirrhosis in the world - 55 per 10,000 population).   

• Gastrointestinal complications - pancreatitis, gastritis, gastric and duodenal, ulcers.   
• Heart – cardiomyopathy, heart failure, high blood pressure.   
• Carcinoma of liver, pancreas, stomach, oral cavity and breast.   
• Neurological complications – dementia, myopathy, neuropathy and epilepsy.   
• Psychiatric disorders – depression, suicide, convulsions and pathological jealousy.   
• Morbidity and mortality from road traffic accidents (currently 8 deaths per day occur in the roads of Sri Lanka. Alcohol accounts for 70% of road accidents).   
• Violence, homicide and crimes committed under the influence of alcohol.   
• Sexual harassment and violence against women and children.   
• Suicide – current rate of suicide in Sri Lanka is 15 per 100,000-   

• The ready and easy availability and accessibility of alcohol via wine stores, restaurants, toddy taverns and supermarkets numbering more than 5,000 in the country.   
• The demand for alcohol has recently reduced due to the high cost of alcohol beverages. However, the recent issue of 273 liquor licenses in 2023 and issue of more than 500 licenses for sale of soft liquor in 2024 have been counter-productive with increase in supply of alcohol. (Excise Commissioner’s statement September 2024).   
• Un-estimated number of more than 200,000 distributing outlets of illicit alcohol makes illicit alcohol readily available.   

• Simple advice regarding harmful health effects of alcohol and the financial consequences to the patient and family.   
• Brief counseling with continued monitoring at regular intervals.   
• For significant alcohol addicts - referral to consultant psychiatrists/addiction specialists for evaluation and medical treatment of alcohol dependence with available drugs. Eg: acamprosate, naltrexone, disulfiram or topiromate if required.   

• Stopping the issue of new liquor licenses with immediate effect.   
• Cancelling all liquor licenses issued to outlets situated within half mile radius of schools and places of worship.   
• Increasing the minimum age for purchase of alcohol to 21 years.   
• Restricting hours and days that alcohol is sold in outlets.   
• Reducing the demand by increasing the price of alcohol.   

• Enacting appropriate drink driving policies and appropriate fines.   
• Application of correct taxation formula for alcohol.   

This will ensure that all increases in taxation of alcohol will result in appropriate increase of income from taxation to the Treasury.   

• Cancelling licenses of all distilleries that do not pay the correct taxes on time to the government.   
• School based intervention to prevent alcohol, tobacco and dangerous drugs.