No change in liquor laws: Dy. minister

By Malik Gunatilleke

The Government will not amend or ease any laws concerning the selling of liquor close to religious establishments and schools, said Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Mr. Siyambalapitiya said the Government issued a gazette notification stating that all liquor selling establishments cannot be situated within a 100 metre radius of any school or place of worship.These comments came after JVP members claimed the Government had failed to implement the law properly.

JVP MP Vijitha Herath said the 2002/2003 gazette which was issued by the UNP did not allow any liquor sales within a 500 metre radius of schools and religious establishments. He said the gazette which was issued in 2004 brought the radius down to 100 metres, which the JVP opposed in Parliament.

Some JVP leaders have sent a letter to the President, requesting him to revoke the current gazette and re-implement the 2004 gazette.