Apr 21, Colombo: The government has decided to close all the Liquor stores across the island until further notice, the President’s Media Division announced today.

The liquor stores were opened Monday with the lifting of the curfew in the island except in high risk districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam.

The state TV network ITN reported yesterday that with the lifting of curfews in several areas, long queues have been seen at the liquor stores and not at the grocery stores. It was also reported that many people standing in the lines at the liquor stores were not following the social distancing and other health practices.

Last week the Excise Department said the production, sale and transportation of illicit liquor had seen a marked increase during curfew and illicit liquor is even worse than the Coronavirus disaster.