Senaratne says finance minister Mangala Samaraweera’s remark that reducing the beer price will discourage illicit liquor is without acceptable supportive evidence. He is denying the budget report claimed survey by the Colombo University and says only six per cent consume illicit liquor. Samaraweera said the university survey found 49 pc were consuming illicit liquor. The survey he is referring to was conducted by a lecturer at personal level and the university has nothing to do with it, says the health minister. The cabinet will be convinced that making budget proposals based on unacceptable evidence is inappropriate, he says further.
Senaratne goes onto say that the entire world has commended the effort by his ministry and the president to minimize the consumption of alcohol and tobacco in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is against the government programme, to encourage liquor consumption by reducing the beer prices, he adds.
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