Political bribes - Govt. to investigate former MPs over liquor licences

*Around 361 liquor licences issued since January 1, 2024

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

The government is to carry out an investigation to determine whether any of the MPs who represented the previous Parliament or any one of their associates had received liquor licences as political bribes during the previous regime, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told journalists in Parliament that an investigation would be carried out immediately but asserted that some of the licences did not carry the names of any MP.

“Licences have not been issued under the personal name of any MP, but it is possible that they have used other names to obtain the licences. Also, it may be that these MPs obtained licences for their close associates. We will be carrying out an investigation to clear all these matters,” Dr. Jayatissa told journalists.

Earlier, Leader of the House, Bimal Ratnayake revealed in the House that around 361 liquor licences have been issued since January 1, 2024.

Accordingly 110 licences have been issued for the Western Province, 48 for Southern Province, 32 for North, 22 for East, 45 for Central Province, 14 for North Central and 30 each for North Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces.

Some 172 licences have been issued for Wine stores under the category FL 4. Accordingly, 22 licences have been issued for Colombo, 18 for Gampaha, eight for Kalutara, nine for Galle, five for Matara, five for Hambantota, five for Jaffna, 16 for Kilinochchi, two for Vavuniya, one for Batticaloa, five for Ampara, 11 for Kandy, eight for Nuwara Eliya, four for Trincomalee, six for Matale, four for Anuradhapura, three for Polonnaruwa, six for Puttalam, eight for Kurunegala, nine for Badulla, seven for Monaragala, seven for Ratnapura and two for Kegalle District.

Licences have been issued to Sathosa outlets in various parts of the country, including a few issued to its Chairman. Some licences carry the names of companies, while licences have been issued to individuals as well.

Minister Ratnayake alleged all these licences have been issued as political bribes, going by a comment once made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.