This follows a request made by president Maithripala Sirisena from owners of the liquor shops, according to reports reaching Sri Lanka Mirror.

The sale of cigarettes too, will not take place in Polonnaruwa today.

These are results of the moves by the president to create a society free of liquor and cigarettes, said a spokesman for the president’s house.

The SLFP celebration at Rajarata Navodya Stadium in Kaduruwela begins at 2.00 pm.