Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today (18) said that an investigation should be conducted into the opening of liquor stores yesterday (17).
Hours after the government announced that it extending quarantine curfew to curb COVID-19 pandemic in the country, lengthy lines could be seen in front of super markets and liquor shops to buy alcohol. That was following unofficial reports that the liquor shops were permitted to open from yesterday (17) onwards.
Speaking about this, Amaraweera said that it is not appropriate to open liquor shops when there is a curfew in effect.
“I even came to knwp about this through the media. It is a known fact that there are restrictions in place to purchase essential goods. In a situation like this, it is not appropriate to open liquor shops,” the minister said.
No official announced regarding opening of liquor shops have been published so far.
Attempts of News19 to contact Excise Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe were futile.