New regulations soon to sell Methanol

Move to combat illicit liquor consumption:

By Jayampathi JAYASINGHE

[email protected]

New regulations regarding the sale and distribution of Methanol spirits will be enacted shortly as a safety measure following the deaths of several persons consuming illicit liquor made out of Methanol spirits.

Commissioner General of Excise, D.G.M.V. Hapuarachchi told the Sunday Observer that the Excise Department is planning to introduce new regulations to dilute methanol spirits before issuing it to the industrial market as a safeguard against it being used by illicit liquor manufacturers who manufacture poisonous deadly liquor.

“We have proposed to the authorities that Methanol spirits should be mixed with Birtex, a substance used to dilute its potency so as to discourage illicit liquor manufacturers from purchasing it .

“However, we have sought the advice of the Attorney General in this regard before new regulations are being framed. Several people have died due to consumption of illicit liquor made out of Methanol spirits,” Hapuarachchi said.

Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman, SSP Ranjith Gunesekera said 19 persons had died so far and 62 persons had been hospitalised following the consumption of the deadly brew.

Two of the victims were women in their 60s in this instance. When investigations on the case were completed, the advice of the Attorney General will be sought to frame charges against the suspects. More suspects are to be arrested in this case, he said.

Liquor poisoning is not something new in Sri Lanka. In the late seventies around 20 persons died and about 80 persons went blind due to consumption of illicit arrack from a tavern in the Moratuwa area.

In 2004, nine persons died at Baddegama and several persons were admitted to the Karapitiya hospital following the consumption of illicit liquor.

A former Government Analyst told the Sunday Observer that the manufacture of liquor has to be in accordance with conditions stipulated in the Gazette Notification No 1232/12 of April 2002.

However, illicit manufacturers use industrial alcohol to manufacture illicit liquor because it is cheaper than potable liquor. Potable liquor is manufactured from sugarcane which is not poisonous as it does not contain Methanol alcohol.

Anyone who consumes alcohol or spirits that contain industrial alcohol (Methanol) run the risk of death, going blind or being maimed for life, he said.