Diana says: Reduce prices of alcoholic drinks

• Says tax revenue could be increased when more people purchase alcoholic drinks
• Suggests Sri Lanka have a night economy to attract tourists
• “tourists do not come to Sri Lanka to sleep at 10pm”

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Price of alcoholic drinks should be reduced to enable increase in sales and state revenue, State Minister Diana Gamage told Parliament yesterday.  

“Government could increase its revenue if prices of alcoholic drinks are reduced. More people will purchase alcoholic drinks if prices are reduced. Tax revenue could be increased when more people purchase alcoholic drinks. If not we will have to ban alcohol in Sri Lanka and close the Excise Department,” the State Minister said.  

“A supplement for alcoholic drinks named ‘Apple’ has been developed as the price of alcoholic drinks has increased,” she added.  

The State Minister said Sri Lanka must have a night economy to attract tourists. Around 80 percent of foreign tourists who come to Sri Lanka visit our island only once. “They come only once as there is no night life in Sri Lanka. Tourists do not come to Sri Lanka to sleep at 10pm. Many attacked me for calling for a night economy in Sri Lanka. I did not intend to promote any profession,” she said.