Crackdown against liquor outlets doing business beyond stipulated time
 

by Anjana Gamage

The Ministry of Public, Law and Order, Ministry of Tourism, the Excise Department and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) along with other relevant institutions have decided to come down hard on owners of liquor outlets who carry on business beyond the permissible time limit stipulated by the law.

A crackdown will also come into operation against unauthorised liquor outlets, illegal construction of buildings and the tourists overstaying their visas.

Regulations will also brought into force not to permit anyone under the age of 18 to enter any section of a hotel where liquor services are provided unless accompanied by their parents. This is chiefly with a view to minimise drunken brawls at hotels and night spots.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public, Security, Law and Order Thilak Ranaviraja at a press conference held at the Ceylon Hotel School auditorium. Also present were Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Dr. P. Ramanujam, IGP Chandra Fernando, Director General of the SLTB S. Kalaiselvam together with other senior officials of the relevant authorities.

Speaking at the press conference Secretary Thilak Ranaviraja said: "The President has paid special attention towards upholding morals of society following the Royal Park murder case. Therefore she appointed a special committee comprising the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Commissioner General of Excise Department, and the IGP and several other officials to look into this matter.

However, we have come to know that due to the increase in tourist arrivals, a corresponding increase was seen in the number of recreational spots in Sri Lanka as well. But when it comes to the issuing of liquor licence to the pubs, there are certain rules and regulations that one should follow. But we have noticed that several hotels have breached this rule and conduct affairs according to their wishes.

Especially the karoke bars operated in Colombo register high liquor sales. Most of the parents in Colombo do not know how safe these places are where their children frequent.

Therefore the proposals submitted by the technical committee will have the desired impact in maintaining the required discipline when the rules are strictly enforced on the sales of liquor in bars, including the five star hotels and restaurants and karoke bars throughout the country."

He also stressed that according to the rules and regulations, wine stores which have liquor licences registered under the Excise Department can conduct sales only till 9.00 p.m. and the other hotels, restaurants and pubs can do so from till 1.00 a.m. only. " But most of the hotels and pubs are selling liquor till 4.00 and 5.00 a.m.," he said.

"Therefore, the Excise Department will take tough action against those who are violating the rules. If we find liquor sales in any place after these laid down time limits severe fines will be imposed" he further said.

Speaking on the issue on arrival visas Ranaviraja said: "We have introduced arrival tourist visas for 78 countries as a step in promoting tourism in the country. But authorities should clearly identify whether these tourists are genuine travellers round the country or are there for other purposes. So far we have come to know that about 12,000 tourists who have come down here only for a months' stay have overstayed. Some of them are working at the BoI and Karokes".

"There are two ways of preventing crimes in society as formal and informal. But unfortunately here we do not have informal controls. We should develop this method," said IGP Chandra Fernando. According to him, the police with the assistance of the Narcotics Bureau, Navy and Excise Department, have seized 20 kilograms of heroin only for the last week.

Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Dr. P. Ramanujam said that there was an increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka during the recent past. In 2003 tourist arrivals have increased by 27.3 per cent as against the previous year. In 2004 the increase was 13.1 per cent and during the first nine months of this year the increase was 8 per cent.

"We are expecting to implement these proposals as soon as possible and would like to keep all Government and other agencies informed on the new proposals that have been submitted by the technical committee," he said.

A summary of the recommendations was presented by Ranjith Perera, former Director General of the SLTB who headed the technical committee. The committee was comprised with M. N. D. Dixen, former Director General of the UDA and W. H. de Alwis, former Commissioner of Excise (Revenue).