Crackdown on supermarkets, clubs for booze violations

Rasika SOMARATHNA

COLOMBO: Excise sleuths have busted 10 Karaoke clubs and 30 supermarkets for violating the provisions in their liquor licences.

Commissioner General of Excise Parakrama Bandara Ekanayake has imposed fines amounting to Rs. 3 million for the offenders.

According to Excise sources, these clubs and supermarkets which cater to a high class clientele, has been engaged in selling liquor abusing the provisions enforced by law, using their super status as a shield.

These establishments have been taken to task for offenses such as selling liquor during the prohibited hours, not maintaining accounts properly, maintaining illegal stocks and having stocks of imported liquor without any income tax details.

There had been allegations earlier that the Excise Department was not taking proper action against these establishments because of their five star status.

Against this backdrop the Commissioner General had ordered an immediate crackdown on such establishments and accordingly the offenders are to be severely dealt with, Excise sources said.

The raids were conducted by a team of officers led by Assistant Commissioner K.M.G. Bandara.

Meanwhile, in a separate raid by Excise officers in Muturajawela, 180 litres of illicit liquor had been seized with the ingredients used to produce them.

According to sources, the culprits had escaped leaving their stocks behind and only one person had been caught. He was fined Rs.20,000.

The raid was led by officer Jagath Perera.