No liquor licenses issued to current MPs, says Fin. Min.

• Currently 4,910 licensed liquor shops in SL, of them 1,100 retailers 
• Hoteliers make up 1,567 and restaurants 554
• Excise Dept. has also issued licenses for 1,080 foreign liquor sales outlets

The Finance Ministry yesterday denied that alcohol licenses had been issued to current parliamentarians who were appointed after 2015.   

Although liquor licenses were issued to the owners of hotels approved by the Tourist Board after 2015 with the intention of developing the tourism industry, none of the current parliamentarians have been issued with liquor licenses, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. 

There are currently 4,910 licensed liquor shops and 1,100 out of them are retailers, 1,567 hoteliers and 554 restaurateurs. 

The Excise Department has issued licenses for 368 wine and beer outlets as well as, 200 toddy taverns. In addition, the Department has issued licenses for 1,080 foreign liquor sales outlets.

“If any person wants to obtain a liquor license, he or she could obtain such a license by following the terms and conditions imposed by the Excise Department,” the statement said. 

To be eligible to apply for a liquor license, the relevant applicant should not have been found guilty of any offense during the last five years and he or she should be a taxpayer as well. In addition, according to the category of the liquor shop, the liquor outlet should be established in a place which is outside the specified distance to places of religious worship and schools.

After taking into consideration the required terms and conditions under the Excise Ordinance and the provisions of the Excise Notices are completed by the applicants, the Department will get the relevant details provided by the applicant verified by the police and the Divisional Secretary in charge of his or her residential area. 

The subject minister and the Excise Commissioner General have the full authority to issue liquor licenses to any qualified applicant. The list of liquor permits holders is published on the website of the Excise Department.