Govt. issues 538 soft alcohol licenses to boost tourism

(Economynext)The Government has issued 538 soft alcohol licenses under regulations started in 2022 to support the tourism sector, State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

“Under a gazette notification in 2022 on a request by the tourism industry to promote tourism, the government began issuing soft liquor licenses,” Minister Siyambalapitiya told parliament.

“538 soft liquor licenses were issued after that. Anyone with a tourist permit was able to apply for this license for their restaurant.”

According to a World Health Organization report, since 2004 Sri Lanka’s illegal alcohol sales have gone up by 500 percent, compared to 50 percent legal sales, he said.

Sri Lanka has high taxes on legal alcohol which promote bootlegging.

“The government at no point promotes liquor usage,” Siyambalapitiya said. “The best example of this is that we tax close to 75 percent of the price of a bottle.

“But the government has to follow policies that promote tourism.”

He was responding to a question by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on issuing liquor licenses to vendors in proximity to schools.

“We have to ensure that these permits are issued to vendors in appropriate locations,” Siyambalapitiya said.

“This becomes an issue in non-tourist areas. Based on public complaints we have cancelled three liquor licenses in such vicinities, and we will do so in the future too.”

The lack of access to legal alcohol outlets can also promote moonshine sales, Siyambalapitiya said.

Authorities were conducting a review to find the spread of legal outlets.

“For example in Nuwara Eliya there are 115 outlets which is one for 6,809 persons,” Siyambalapitya said.

“But in Mullaitivu there is one for 990,000 persons.”

A total of 4,570 permits of 25 different categories have been issued, Siyambalapitiya said.