Excise Dept announces 18 dry days for 2021

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka, which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of laws pertaining to the country’s liquor industry announced 18 dry days for the year 2021.   

Departmental spokesman Excise Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe over the weekend said the Excise chief has publicized the 18 dry days for the year including 12 Full Moon Poya Buddhist holidays.   

Excise Commissioner General M J Gunasiri sending an official communiqué to several Government ministries and state departments had announced the following 18 days of state holidays, on which the sale of all kinds of alcoholic beverages will be completely prohibited for the countrywide licensed liquor sellers.   
The days are,  Duruthu Poya day, which fell on January 28th, Independence Day, which was on February 4th, the Navam Poya on Friday, February 26th, the Madin Poya on Sunday, March 28th, the day prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year on Tuesday, April 13th, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day on Wednesday, April 14th, Bak Poya Day on Monday, April 26th, the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day on Wednesday, May 26th and the day following Wesak Poya Day on Thursday, May 27th.   

Thereafter, all liquor sales are banned on Poson Full Moon Poya Day on Thursday, June 24th, Esala Poya Day on Friday, July 23rd, the Nikini Poya Day on Sunday, August 22nd, the Binara Poya Day on Monday, September 20th, the World Temperance Day on Sunday, October 3rd, the Vap Poya Day on Wednesday, October 20th, the Il Poya Day on Thursday, November 18th, Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day on Saturday, December 18th and Christmas Day on Saturday, December 25th.   

These orders are mandatory for all types of liquor license /permit holders of restaurants, bars, wine stores, taverns, clubs, pubs, cinemas, hotels, guesthouses and rest houses.   

However, two Excise license types of Tourist Board approved F.L. 07 and Special Three-year permit premises are allowed to engage in business on three specific days as the day prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day and Christmas Day.   

The communiqué has been sent to the Secretaries of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Administration and Management and the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs.   
The Excise Department warns strict legal actions against those who violate these orders.