Crime was at bay when booze was away

By D.P. Atukorala, Colombo 7

There had not been a single instance of crime in my village, Hattaka (in the Hiniduma electorate) and neighbouring villages during the Sinhala and Hindu New year, thanks to the total ban of alcohol by the present government during this festive season. It is common knowledge that the majority of the crimes in Sri Lanka especially those in the rural areas are due to alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is known to facilitate aggressive behaviour. When people want to bully or assault other people, alcohol helps them to do so in certain circumstances. In rural areas there are some people who drink heavily during the festive seasons, with the little money they have saved during the previous few months. Most of my relatives living in my hometown informed me that there was not a single case of murder (e.g. stabbing) or any other crime such as assault in the rural areas during the April festive season, thanks to the alcohol ban (arrack, kasippu and toddy). All civilized Sri Lankans would be grateful to the present government if this alcohol ban is extended to other festive seasons such as Christmas and the New Year.