Ampara villagers protest against booming local moonshine industry

By D. Gnanasiri Hettiarachchi in Digamadulla

Residents of Kanapadipuram village in Ampara district staged a protest over the authorities' lack of action against the illicit moonshine industry that is taking over the area today.

The protestors, led by women from the area, told area correspondents that four of the 300 families living in the area had been involved in the business for a long time. Protestors complained that their husbands were excessively consuming moonshine, and domestic disputes and village conflicts were on the rise as a result. 

One protestor, Amila, claimed that the alcoholism triggered by the sales was resulting in domestic violence within households. "The husbands spend all their money on moonshine and there's nothing to feed families with or buy school supplies for children with, many families have been broken up over this." The protestors claimed that despite several complaints to relevant authorities, no action has been taken so far.

The protestors walked to the 24 Division Army Headquarters, where General Commanding Officer Major General Galapaththi informed Civil Coordinating Officer Lieutenant Colonel A Sisira Kumara to record their grievances. The protestors left the location after the commander promised to take action on the issue.