COVID Task Force rejects online liquor sale move

The COVID-19 Task Force has rejected the request for online sales of liquor by the Excise Department. 

The rejection was announced by National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak Head General Shavendra Silva. The Excise Department made the request following the Finance Ministry, in principle, approving online liquor sales during the COVID third wave-induced travel restrictions. If cleared by the COVID Task Force, the Excise Department was to empower licensed supermarket chains and those having Excise R.B.4 license to carry outline sales with certain conditions.