The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has expressed concern about the decision by the Department of Excise to allow internet alcohol sales.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and copied to key ministers and government officials it says such sales will circumvent the age, time and restrictions and mandates for alcohol sales in the country.
‘The Excise Department has put forward many unsubstantiated arguments to support the move. It is especially concerning that the Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement of the Department is claiming on television that the production and sale of illicit alcohol has gone up in the last two weeks warranting the government to by- pass laws of the country and allow internet sales of alcohol’.
The SLMA has asked the Excise Department to provide concrete evidence in support of its claim. ‘If they know the extent and locations of sale so precisely they should be raiding these locations and prosecuting the perpetrators’.
The letter goes on to point out that the economic costs of alcohol far outweighs the loss of tax revenue and that easy access to alcohol at this time will have a bearing on poverty levels, violence against women, injuries, suicides and illnesses.
For the full statement SLMA letter P1&SLMA letterP2
