Excise Chief says corrupt monopolistic groups opposing move to grant soft liquor licence to supermarket

Excise Commissioner General M.G. Gunasiri says that some licensees are opposed to providing soft liquor sales licences to supermarkets as this may impact sales at their outlets. 

He said that some groups are working to create monopolies within their respective areas by blocking access to other outlets. 

Gunasiri charged that some of these parties are also engaged in various offences connected to alcohol sales and quality and this was one of the reasons behind their opposition to affording licenses to supermarkets.

The Commissioner stated the Department was keen to offer licences to supermarkets due to their accordance with distribution processes and quality control, and refuted the opposition and charges brought about by vested groups. 

He noted that it has come to light that some wine store owners fill bottles with illicit alcohol and offer them for sale under reputed brand names. He added that the security sticker introduced to prevent such occurrences has gone a long way to control such incidents and led to a 17% increase in the department’s earnings.

Sri Lanka has over 1,200 wine stores countrywide but disparities in their distribution has led to a flourishing illicit alcohol industry.