Crackdown on illegal breweries continues in CP

Rasika Somarathna

KANDY: The crackdown on illegal breweries and abusers of excise licences in the Central province continued with 39 offenders being nabbed during last week. The Commisioner General of Excise has imposed fines amounting to Rs. 3.4 million in addition to other penalties.

During the recently concluded Perehera season, Excise sleuths bared several thriving illicit liquor rackets in the area by carring out 246 successful raids, thus preventing any unruly incidents during the pageant due to alcohol abuse.

Recently there was a major brawl in a leading hotel in Kandy between some University students and Police officers in an alleged case where the students’ request for liquor was refused by the hotel staff.

Several People including a number of police officers were injured during this incident. Excise sources said that their timely intervention had prevented such ugly incidents during the Perehera.

The Excise spokesman told the Daily News that the Commissioner General of Excise has ordered tough measures to eradiacate the menace which has had a damaging effect on Sri Lankan society.

The spokesman further added that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken the lead with his “Mathata Thitha” programme playing a significant role in combatting the menace.

These latest raids were carried out by the Kandy Special Unit headed by Upul Senevirathne.