Excise Dept to be vigilant during Wesak

By Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The Colombo Excise Department will launch a special program to apprehend the culprits who sell liquor during the Wesak Poya Days, when the sale of liquor is prohibited countrywide on May 24 and 25.

The Spokesman for the Excise Department, Superintendent Prabath Jayawickrama told the Sunday Observer that additional teams will be deployed in all Excise Divisions to intensify raids on the sale of liquor.

He said that since sales are banned on these days, many tend to stock liquor and sell it at very high prices in the black market.

Tough legal action would be taken against the offenders, he said. The government has informed all the Divisional Secretaries to restrict operation of all wine stores, taverns, restaurants selling liquor and supermarkets selling meat and poultry products and to close all night clubs and casinos during the said period and Saturday.

The Wesak week has been declared from May 21 to 27.