Bathiudeen requests President to cancel liquor permit issued in Mannar

Colombo, September 26 (Daily Mirror)- All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Bathiudeen has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the permit for a liquor bar which was newly established on Main Road, Mannar.

In a letter to the President, he said the liquor bar has been established on the Mannar Main Road, a location that is in close proximity to schools, garment factories and residential areas while causing considerable distress among the local community, even leading to a protest last month.

Bathiudeen said, however, despite the public outcry, no action has been taken by the relevant authorities to address this issue.

He said in the letter that the permit for this liquor bar was issued by the previous Government for political reasons and that this raises concerns regarding the appropriateness of the decision to grant a liquor license in such a sensitive area, especially when the community has clearly expressed their opposition.

"I kindly request you to intervene in this matter and take necessary steps to cancel the permit for this liquor bar. The well-being of the residents, particularly the young students and workers in the area, must be prioritised, and we trust in your commitment to ensure that justice and fairness prevail," the letter added.