No approval for sale of liquor online - NOPCO Head
The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOPCO) Head said approval has not been granted for the sale of liquor online.
NOPCO Head, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva confirmed that approval will not be given for online liquor sales as it would benefit only a segment of society. “The reason why we considered closing liquor shops was due to the fact that people used to gather around liquor shops in numbers. They had no control.
So now if we allow the online sale of liquor, this facility would only be for a certain segment of society as everyone does not have this facility. This would result in another issue as it would be unfair for those who cannot access online facilities to obtain their liquor. That is one reason.”
He said that the other matter is that next week is the Poson festival week and liquor sales are banned for a week and liquor shops are closed.
“Therefore, it’s a matter of just three to four days anyway. From Monday, the whole week will be an alcohol-free week. Hence, we thought there is no point in allowing the online sale of alcohol over these few days which would only benefit a segment of society and deprive others of the service. That is the reason we decided against the move to allow online liquor sales.”
The Finance Ministry had approved the recommendation made by the Excise Department to allow the public to purchase liquor via online orders.
However, the Department said that the approval of the NOCPCO would be required to enable the online sale of alcohol. The decision to make alcohol available online was met with objections from several parties including the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). Therefore, the Head of NOCPCO, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said until the travel restrictions are lifted, the liquor shops too will remain closed and online liquor sales will not be permitted.
source http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/06/18/local/251904/no-approval-sale-liquor-online-nopco-head
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