Excise Department amends regulations on foreign liquor

The Department of Excise has amended the regulations to permit the retail sale, transportation and possession of up to 80 litres of foreign liquor.

Deputy Excise Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe said earlier only 7.5 litres of foreign liquor could be sold, transported and possessed. The Excise Department has ordered all liquor outlets to be closed on 3 October in observance of the World Temperance Day.

The official said raids would be carried out across the island and more than 1000 officers will be deployed to arrest the violators of the laws regarding illegal liquor.