Sri Lanka. Women will now be able to buy alcohol

Sri Lanka has lifted the 39-year ban on women buying alcohol or working in establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold or manufactured.

The 1979 law that banned the sale of any alcoholic beverage to women on the island of 21 million people was abolished as part of a broader fight against sexism in legislation, the spokesperson said. word of the Ministry of Finance , Ali Hassen. “The idea is to restore gender neutrality, ” he commented.

Women will now also be able to work in establishments where alcohol is produced or sold, notably in bars. However, it is still prohibited to sell alcohol to serving members of the police or armed forces.

Lower price of wine and beer

In its November budget, Sri Lanka decided to increase the already high taxes on hard liquor, but significantly lowered the prices of wine and beer. According to other measures recently taken by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, pubs and bars can now stay open later.

Hostile reactions

The origin of the ban on women buying alcohol is uncertain, but a finance ministry official said it may have been designed at the time to appease conservative Buddhist officials. The relaxation of alcohol laws has provoked hostile reactions in certain sections of society in this predominantly Buddhist country. The National Movement for the Protection of Consumer Rights has accused the finance minister of encouraging alcohol consumption, and urged President Maithripala Sirisena to intervene to maintain the restrictions.

Aishwarya Yogeshwar

Aishwarya Yogeshwar is the visionary founder of CGI Jaffna, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering innovation and community growth in the Jaffna region. With a deep passion for news publishing, Aishwarya combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a keen interest in delivering impactful and engaging stories. Her commitment to creating a platform for reliable news and meaningful discourse reflects her dedication to empowering communities through knowledge and information. Aishwarya’s leadership and innovative approach make her a driving force in the world of media and communication.

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