Tourism Minister promises more leeway on liquor at tourist zones to resurrect crippled industry

By Harischandra Gunaratna

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said tourism and liquor went hand in hand and if the ailing tourism industry was to be resurrected the existing excise regulations had to be relaxed to a great extent.Fernando told The Island, on the sidelines of the Institute of Hospitality annual celebrations at the Colombo Ramada,recently, that a gazette notification will be issued, permitting bars and restaurats in Tourist Zones, to sell liquor until 2.00 am.

“Leisure seekers visit here not only to enjoy the country’s scenic beauty but also to enjoy, and when they order an alcoholic beverage, we cannot tell them that the bars are closed,” the minister said.

Asked whether the closing time of liquor outlets at supermarkets, too, would be extended, to facilitate tourists, the Minister said that supermarkets did not come under his purview, but he would discuss it with the Trade Minister and try to convince the latter to keep liquor outlests at supermarkets open till the closing hours.

The government has already permitted the sale of soft liquor at outlets and restaurants in the tourist zones, Minister Fernando said.Fernando was of the view that liquor restrictions would push the industry into deeper trouble.

 “There are three million people who depend on the tourism industry, directly and indirectly, in Sri Lanka, and, therefore, it is essential that the industry is given a tremendous boost overseas,” the mnister said.

“We have a very good product and a great potential but it they have to be made the best use of internationally,” he said.