South Asian Business news and information

Most of the time, Sri Lanka makes it to international magazines because civil war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army. The ongoing fight between LTTE and the Sri Lankan army has become a major news worldwide. Civil war is a major problem but there are things worst than civil war and they are alcohol and drugs. According to a report published in colombopage.com, despite imposing taxes, the consumption of alcohol is moving upwards. I am quoting from the report:

The excise tax this year has passed last year's tax income of Rs. 16.1 billion, reaching 17 billion within the first ten months. Excise tax income was just over six billion at the beginning of the new millennium.

Sri Lankans consumed over 37 million litres of hard liquor and 39 million litres of soft liquor within the first ten months of this year, according to Excise Department figures.

Sri Lankan illicit liquor brewers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers together paid more than Rs. 90 million to the government in fines within the first ten months of the year. They were apprehended in more than 43,500 roundups launched by the Sri Lanka Police and the Excise Department.

The stink of the matter is, despite being a major social menace, alcohol is a major source of earning revenue for the government. While browsing Google, I came across a report published on the website of Asian Human Rights Commission. The report says that Sri Lankan police beat a liquor businessman. His crime was that he gave up selling liquors. There are many illegal alcohol sellers who run their business by bribing the police. Any one giving up his business means that police would not be able to earn those few extra bucks!!! This event took place in 2004. I also found another report published in lankalibrary.com. According to this report, the number of drug related offences has increased twenty times from 1981 to 2003. Within this same time period, the consumption of alcohol has increased four times. The most alarming part of this problem is that 65% of the alcohol consumers are young people age ranging from 15 to 24.

In the beginning of my report, I have said that there are things worst than civil war. Many of you may not agree with me but think for just one moment. There are Sri Lankan armies who can fight with LTTE. However, alcohol is a thing which the Sri Lankan government allows its people to consume despite knowing that it poses a major problem. The police are also supporting alcohol businessmen. So who is the worst enemy now? To me, it is the ongoing civil war which is destroying every potential of Sri Lankan economy.

Related article:

Colombopage