The Department of Excise states that they received approval from the Ministry of Finance to allow online sales of alcohol, allowing consumers to purchase liquor online through supermarket chains.
The opening of liquor outlets is currently banned due to travel restrictions. The Commissioner-General of Excise stated that due to this, consumers have increasingly requested to be given the opportunity to purchase liquor online.
Though the policy approval was granted by the Finance Ministry, Excise Spokesman Kapila Kumarasinghe said they will also seek approval from the COVID-19 task force.
Once the move receives the green light from the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), it will be possible to start online sales from today afternoon (16) itself, the Department of Excise states.