Sri Lankan president re-imposed on women buying liquor, days after finance minister had lifted the restriction. MaithripalaSirisena has ordered Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to tweak the decision to re implement the 1979 law the prevents sale of alcohol of any type to women.
This order comes after information that AFP
Samaraweera had revoked the 39-year-old law to remove sexist bills, and ensure
gender neutrality. The decision to tone down laws on alcohol had faced
severe criticism in the Buddhist nation of 21 millions.
As per new laws, bars and pubs can remain open
longer duration of the day, and women will be able to work in bars,
distilleries and breweries. The originally imposed 1979 ban on women buying
liquor was apparently to please the Buddhist government then. It must be noted
that Sri Lanka had increased tax on hard liquor, and reduced prices
of wine and beer in its November 2017 budget.
