MP Pathirana puts govt. in dock over moves to issue new liquor manufacturing licences

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Matara District MP Buddhika Pathirana yesterday in Parliament demanded to know the rationale behind the Finance Ministry trying to issue five new liquor manufacturing licences in the months of Vesak and Poson.

“This is being done by a Ministry headed by the Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs. The Finance Ministry’s excuse is that it wants to increase its revenue. Now there is lobbying to get the signatures of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance for the approval of these licences. We hope that the government will tell this House on what grounds they intend to carry out this project.

“For the new licences the signatures of Sri Rohana Janaranjana Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister and Finance Minister and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa are required. How would he comment on this project of issuing new liquor producing licences in the months of Vesak and Poson?”