Fines for illicit liquor to go up

The Government is exploring the possibility to increase fines on illicit liquor as a measure to tackle illicit drug use in the country, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Rathnayake told the Parliament yesterday.

In 2014 alone, law enforcement agencies conducted 114,790 raids in search of illicit liquor. However, the number of raids has reduced to 113,994 in 2015. “In 2014, we were able to find 8.5 million litres of illicit liquor (goda) against 2.35 million in 2015. But the illicit liquor found in 2014 exceeded 3.47 million litres against 124.2 million litres last year. Even though the number of raids was slightly reduced, the quantities found have gone up,” Minister Rathnayake in response to a question by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana.

With effective measures taken against those engaged in the illicit liquor trade, the number of arrests has gone up, said Minister Rathanayake.

“Last year, 99,977 individuals were produced in courts on illegal liquor charges. In 2014 it was 98,768. Even though the numbers of raids are not increasing, authorities have made an increase in arrests. We will continue to increase arrests based on the raids,” he added. (AH)