Booze banned for three days for this Vesak: Excise Dept

Countrywide liquor sales will be banned for three days for the upcoming Vesak festival as decided by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Department of Excise announced yesterday. 

 

Therefore, all liquor outlets, bars and taverns will be ordered to remain shut during the three days from May 12, 13 and 14 and all restaurants and tourist hotels are also advised to refrain from selling liquor to its guests. 

 

When contacted, a senior official with the department told that although liquor sales are usually prohibited for two days for the Wesak festival, a special Cabinet decision has been taken to prohibit it for an extra day in line with the State Wesak Festival. 

 

The Excise Department notifies all the liquor license holders to strictly follow this ruling and requests from the public to provide information regarding the instances of violations of the Excise Ordinance to its hotline 1913 during this period.