Finance Ministry re-imposes ban on women buying liquor

Jan 18, 2018 (LBO) – Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera on the request of the cabinet has withdrawn the two gazette notifications issued under the Excise Ordinance. Accordingly, the prohibition on selling liquor to women and employing women in places where liquor is manufactured or sold has been re-imposed under excise notification No 04 of 2018 signed by the Minister Samaraweera today. The other gazette extraordinary containing the excise notification No 03 of 2018 has re-introduced the previous business hours for liquor establishments. Finance Minister last week lifted the ban on women buying liquor and working in places where liquor is manufactured or sold in addition to relaxing the business hours of liquor establishments. Criticizing this move President asked Finance Minister to withdraw the two gazette notifications. Finance ministry earlier said the ban was lifted after repeated requests from the tourism industry.