Sobitha Thero urges Govt. to withdraw new licenses granted to manufacture liquor

Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero, the Sangha Nayaka of the Dakshina Lanka Chapter of the Ramanya Nikaaya yesterday demanded the Government to withdraw its approval to open three new distilleries.

He said that by endorsing such decisions, the Cabinet of Ministers is encouraging a drunken culture in the country that will lead to the breakdown of social values.

Addressing a media briefing in Embilipitiya yesterday, Ompale Sobitha Thero questioned the purpose behind the Government’s interest to grant such licences and a drunken culture in the country, and alleged that it was reminiscent of the colonial strategy to distract the public from real issues of governance and failure.

“Today the people are struggling to eat and drink, there is no fuel and adequate foreign exchange, and the economy is in tatters. In such a situation, why is the Finance Ministry so keen to grant licenses for alcohol production? How can you solve people's problems with alcohol?” he charged.

He added that such actions were against the principles of Buddhism and added that the World Health Organization too had pointed out that alcohol consumption grows at around 95% in Sri Lanka versus the global average of 55%.