This policy reversal came to light following the decision taken at a high level meeting of the government think tank to relax the 500 meter requirement for issuing liquor licences to tourist board approved hotels , restaurants and liquor bars.

According to the present regulation, the location of premises for operation of licences in respect of sale of liquor off the premises should be 500 meters away (as the crow flies from boundary to boundary) from Schools and places of public religious worship and in respect of licences for selling liquor for consumption within the premises.

The relaxation of the requirement of 500 meter distance from the places of religious worship and schools for the location of tourist board approved hotels, restaurants and bars for issuing liquor licences will be implemented under the supervision of the Treasury Secretary.

According to Presidential Media Unit, 349 liquor bar licenses were cancelled by the President in March last year as they were operating in violation of the Excise Act regulations. Among cancelled Liquor bars most of them were operated near to schools and places religious worship.

The decision to allow bars and restaurants selling liquor in close proximity to places of worship and schools within 500 meters has been taken within a period of around year after the President’s action to shut down such liquor dens.

When hearing this decision, the Ven. Anuradhapure Sumanasara Thera former Principal of Subhadrarama Pirvena said , the action of the government reminds him Dawal Miguel Rae Daniyel or Jekyll and Hyde and the old saying 'Redda Asse Mahattaya - wearing Patriotic tunic over the US suit.