It had been decided to close all liquor sales outlets in Kandy city and its surrounding towns from August 10 to 20 when the Kandy Esala Perahera will be parading the streets.
While this decision was in force, a liquor shop in a supermarket in Nawayalatenna, Katugastota, had been closed for two days and then reopened. The rest of the liquor shop owners expressed their displeasure regarding the re-opening of this outlet.
According to the decision taken by the Perahera Trust, this liquor store had remained closed on August 10, 11 and 12, but had reopened since August 13.
Deputy Excise Commissioner C.J.A. Weerakkodi of the Rajagiriya Main Excise Office had informed in writing to the Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame, Kandy District Secretary, Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary, Kundasale Divisional Secretary, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central), Assistant Excise Commissioner (Central), Excise Commissioner (Kandy), Excise Officer-In-Charge (Kandy) and the Excise Operations Office, regarding the closure of all liquor sales outlets during the period of the Perahera.
In spite of this, the Nawayalathenna liquor shop, which had been closed for only three days, had opened since August 13, without informing the Perahera Trust.
When the Kandy Excise OIC was asked about this, he said that this liquor store was not closed during the Esala Perahera before this.
He also said that the government received a lot of income from this liquor store during that period and after considering a special appeal made by the management of the store to the Excise Department, permission was granted to reopen it.
The OIC also said that instructions have been given to close the liquor store on August 18 and 19, when the last Randoli Perahera will take place.
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