In Parliament yesterday, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, presented a list detailing the 361 liquor licenses issued by the previous government since the beginning of 2024.
Minister Ratnayake stated that the issuance of these licenses was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate the liquor industry. However, he also announced that, in light of recent concerns, he had ordered the suspension of all 361 licenses until further notice.
The suspension is part of the government’s review of its liquor licensing policies. Ratnayake assured Parliament that the issue would be further investigated, and decisions would be made based on findings. The move has sparked debate among lawmakers, with some questioning the impact of the suspension on the liquor trade and others supporting the government’s decision to ensure transparency and accountability in the licensing process.
Here is the list :-
