COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka’s excise chief has dismissed speculation that liquor stores will be permitted to resume business when the curfew is lifted in certain areas on Monday.

“We haven’t received instructions from the government to reopen liquor stores,” Ariyadasa Bodaragama, the excise department’s commissioner-general told News 1st.

Social media was rife with speculation that liquor stores could be kept open on May 11, when the curfew is lifted across 21 districts.

“The presidential task force on COVID-19 had decided to close down liquor stores. They haven’t approved the reopening of these stores yet,” the excise chief noted.

In April, the excise department permitted liquor stores to be kept open when the curfew is lifted, amidst mounting illicit liquor-related complaints.

However, the decision was subsequently reversed by the government.

The government is losing at least Rs 15 billion monthly as the liquor industry has halted operations, excise officials said.

Liquor stores have remained shut indefinitely since April 21, as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.