Restricting the Sale of Liquor to Women: The Public Debate is Misinformed

Abstract

The submission includes a draft brief published by the legal team on the liquor ban imposed on women in Sri Lanka, titled “Restricting the Sale of Liquor to Women: The Public Debate is Misinformed”.

On 10 January 2018, the Minister of Finance and Mass Media amended Excise Notification No.666 of 31 December 1979. It is widely believed that by this act the Minister revoked a prohibition on the sale of liquor to women. The President and the cabinet responded by asking for the amendments to be reversed. This reversal is widely believed to have reinstated the previous prohibition on women purchasing liquor. Verité Research finds both these views to be poorly informed.