Sri Lankan parliamentarians have not been issued with liquor licenses although such licenses were issued to the owners of hotels approved by the Tourist Board after 2015 with the intention of developing tourism industry, Finance Ministry said.
There are currently 4910 licensed liquor shops and, 1100 out of them are retailers, 1567 hoteliers and 554 restaurateurs.
The Excise Department has issued licenses for 368 wine and beer outlets, as well as, 200 toddy taverns. In addition, the Department has issued licenses for 1080 foreign liquor sales outlets.
The Excise Department announced that in order to become eligible to apply for a liquor license, the relevant applicant should not have been found guilty of any offense during the last five years and he or she should be a tax payer as well.
In addition, according to the category of the liquor shop, the liquor outlet should be established in a place which is outside the specified distance to places of religious worship and schools.
The subject minister and the Excise Commissioner General have the full authority to issue liquor licenses to any qualified applicant.
The list of liquor permits holders is published on the website of the Excise Department, Finance Ministry said.
(LI)