Eleven women have petitioned the Supreme Court invoking fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 12(1 & 2) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution to protect Excise Notification 02/2018 of January 10, 2018 from amendment and/or revoking.
The said Notification which turned back the Excise Notification No 666 of 1979, permits women to purchase alcohol and to work in places where alcohol is sold. Following the issuing of the Notification, President Maithripala Sirisena announced that he would revoke it. Yesterday the cabinet of ministers unanimously decided to withdraw the Gazette notification on extending business hours of liquor shops and allowing females to buy or sell liquor.
The petition filed by Nishanthi Bandaranayake, MDJB Fernando, Samanalee Fonseka, M.D. Chandima Ravini Jinadasa, Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Sabrina Esufally, Sharanya Sekaram, Randhula de Silva, Meneka Galgamuwa, Sujatha Gamage and Visakha Tillekeratne can be read here
Park / January 17, 2018
Well done Ladies. Equal rights should be established. Similarly they should also include Child Marriage protection and Muslim divorce in their demand.
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Ben Hurling / January 17, 2018
Perfect SLAP by ladies of SL. Against stupid men, who have concluded they have a right to decide for women. No questions asked. Male chauvinism hereby put on notice. Cheers!
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Native Vedda / January 18, 2018
Ben Hurling
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“Perfect SLAP by ladies of SL. Against stupid men, who have concluded they have a right to decide for women. “
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Of course, why do we blame the Muslims?
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Justice and Fairplay / January 18, 2018
In his bid to create possibly a non existent puritanical society, our well meaning but sadly mistaken President has only shown us that he is still very much living in the early stages of the last century.
This good man – our President – is urged to be more Presidential, and stay out of mundane affairs that are not really within his province. Ridding this country of its endemic diseases such as corruption would really be a very good way for him to make an indelible mark.
This latest foray will gain this well meaning man, no profit whatsoever.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
This is not equal rights. This is lack of discipline the society. This is the time that govt should start closing Liquor shops. It is mostly the CHRISTIAN – Politicians who own these liquor shops. Liquor should become a political issue that affect the voters’ decision. why it is individual right over rides the social implications, culture etc., Why those women can not come forward if they that gutsy. Most probably eleven christian women not muslims and not buddhists.
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Avanti / January 18, 2018
That is the most sexist and racist thing I have every heard. Even Buddha changed his mind about female ability when he realised that they were as capable of attaining nirvana. I am a Buddhist, a woman and you should not make assumptions on my behalf or that of my Christian or Muslim sisters. Shame on you!
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Champa / January 18, 2018
Coming colours are not good. A very powerful anti-UNP campaign is absolutely necessary now. Things are getting out of hand. Ranil, Mangala and their gang are all out to ruin Sinhalese Buddhist culture. Bond money is throwing left right and centre to promote anti-Buddhist anti-Sinhalese society ruining all our values.
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President may have to strengthen his security. There can be similar predictions like last year January . Who knows the Master Saturn will detour again and try to take his life.
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Delimitation Report is in favour of the UNP. This is the same thing they tried to bring in 2015 as the 20th Amendment prior to general elections. All plans were afoot at the time to confine SLFP to around 30 seats. Our MPP have no logical thinking. They never thought for a moment as to how UNP go before the people after all the betrayals, treachery and sale of assets without having any tricks in hand. President should not loosen his grip on the government for any reason. He will get the necessary support. There is no need to worry.
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There should be a court case against Ranil on the Bond Scam. He should be questioned formally in the Courts. I posted a comment somewhere. President will have a golden opportunity to decide the composition of the Constitutional Council in September 2018. He should take full advantage of it.
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Champa / January 18, 2018
[Edited out]Any bloody woman can ruin her life by addicting to alcohol at her own will, but they have absolutely no right to ruin the entire Sinhalese Buddhist society.
President and the Cabinet should hold onto their decision to revoke the Gazette notification which is praiseworthy. Our law is based on our country’s values, our culture and our beliefs which define who we are. If anybody wants western culture, they are free to migrate.
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Unlike men, women are more vulnerable to alcohol. They have a higher health risk too. On the other hand what will happen to children and the entire family if both parents become addicted to alcohol? Seriously, UNP’s nation-wrecker-Ministers should be given ancient punishments.
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Champa / January 18, 2018
Wow, CT., if women have a right to destroy our cultural values citing equality, I also have a right to describe them.
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Park / January 18, 2018
Recently I read an article where the Cabinet Spokesperson has mentioned the Women and Liquor related gazette was cancelled taking into account the Women’s health. This is a joke liquor affects both men and women. I wonder why politicians tell these lies.
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punchinilame / January 18, 2018
They have read GG Policy on this matter – could be so following the web news under:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-ax1cltXnLTaWpZQl9lOGlsV3c/view
(Pages 35 to 69) in Sinhala
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Fathima / January 18, 2018
Leave Muslim matters to Muslims. Don’t they have better things to demand than the right to get intoxicated and support others to do so? Srilanka is an intoxication cesspit today. But the big mouths keep blaming Muslims for drugs!
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Burt / January 18, 2018
Fat hi ma,
Why don’t you look at the bigger picture. This case is not for the right to get intoxicated and against discrimination.
How many women work as servers in restaurants that sell liquor.
How many families and children depend on these income.
This should not have anything to do with Muslims, Catholics, Hindus or Buddhists. Each have their own beliefs just don’t try to force feed it to others.
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Percy / January 18, 2018
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Analyst / January 18, 2018
Ayatollahs of Srilanka bringing Alcohol law against women! !! How dare are they ?? Turning our law abiding Buddha land to Ayatollah Sharia country??
Oh no!! Never !!
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Kalu Albert / January 17, 2018
Interesting..Wonder what Sabrina Esufaly is doing there…
I don’t think Sira’s cancellation will have any impact or effect on the Colombo Chicks who were on expensive Cocktails at the NYE celebrations in 5 star hotels….
But I would hate to see our Gamae Gals serving Aloysious brewed Mendis Special in Bars across the country standing behind the Iron Bars…..
And their aunties mingling with the drunks drinking straight from the bottle..
By the way Aloysiou’s Investment Strategy is also on par with his Bond Dealing expertise..
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Micheal / January 17, 2018
It is a not a matter of your stupid assumption that suddenly the bars are going to be flooded with your sexist-named ‘Gamae Girls’. It is t he freedom of choice that should be every Sri Lankan.
I do believe that many had no idea there was such a a law in the first place and I have never heard of any women being turned away at a supermarket wine store. I also believe the extension of hours to 10 pm would have been counter productive as those who want to go back for more after the first round would have been have been further encouraged.
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chethika / January 18, 2018
its none of anyones business who drinks expensive cocktails as long as they don’t ask for your money to do the same – complexed are we
?
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Kalu Albert / January 17, 2018
Wonder what Sira is having for the Bite …..
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Words / January 17, 2018
Lol.. the yahapalanaya voters are his bite!!!
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Percy / January 18, 2018
He is biting the hand that feeds him. The dim clot. Now now Sira don’t get angry and run to the loo, this kind of remark is allowed in decent society. OK.?
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Mallaiyuran / January 17, 2018
This will not work. We kept stressing not to allow Yahapalanaya to fool EU to get GSP+. That is now past year loss. Where is the UNP acolytes, WIN. Where is SLHRC? Bundles of notes tendering these women?
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A.D.J. Perera / January 17, 2018
By now it should be clear to Gamarala not to try anything all by himself. With his REAL educational qualifications this is too much for him. Jana…Thatha should at least know his limits. In today’s context, he should not try anything without Ranil and the UNP – it’s far too a treacherous road for the simpleton.
At any rate, on Feb 10 he will learn what the country – and more particularly the villages – think of this gamaya – who is trying hard, with retard sonna Daham close to him, to become a Kolamba Kolla.
ADJP
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Ryan Kulathunga / January 18, 2018
Best thing I read today, well done!
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DF / January 17, 2018
This is all part of a big drama…… wasting public funds, similar to thousand of Presidential / PM committees and Bribery Commission.
They want money….. they want to spoil the common people and children……Then it is easy to control…..! Majority of Sri Lankan beggers can not understand this and they are blind..!
Both parties (now 6 parties, including two JVP) has the same agenda but different fonts and colors.
This country will be bankrupt very soon and all these culprits have millions or billions to live lavishly hear in Sri Lanka or overseas.
Need a dictator like back days in Pakistan or Iraq….!
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Rishard / January 17, 2018
Ha..ha these 11 educated upper-class akkas and aunties are trying to make a historical move to bring justice and gender-equality for one of the burning issues faced by SL women today.
Can now UPFA say that UNP tried to feed women with alcohol and we stopped it in the election rallies in villages for their advantage? Not the right time Mangala…
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Burt / January 17, 2018
This was a stupid move in the first place on many counts.
It discriminates women by gender.
It will create a blow for many families as you got a lot of women working in the Hotel industry.
It will create an artificial shortage of employees for the employer.
Could also create a black market.
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chethika / January 18, 2018
upper class akkas ? seriously?
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Kumaran / January 17, 2018
He walks out of Cabinet meetings, and the women file action. !! These are meaningless situations that this “leader” has brought upon himself. He has a Finance Minister and that man must be left alone to do his work. Likewise, My3 must NOT allow his Cabinet goons to dictate terms. He is the President and he must act like a President.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
KUmaran: Why Smoking is not a fundamental right in the western world ? Itis the Christian world doing all these. President should go against these.
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Kumaran / January 18, 2018
Smoking is a fundamental right in the West. How on earth did you get this wrong?! But the difference is, that even as smokers have their rights, so have the non-smokers. There are separated sections for smokers and non-smokers. One cannot smoke in trains and buses, in public offices but a smoker may smoke thirty paces away from an office or in his/her private home.
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Singhalese pundit / January 17, 2018
Go to Hell ladies..
Where will be your children go if you come drunk home from work in Pubs..
You do not have time to look after children and yet you need to go out and work in Pubs..you want to drink and work in Pubs..
Go to Hell. Sri Lanka is not Europe.
Europe is in the brink of family breakdowns and chaotic moral dilemma.
Buddhism has given you peace of mind ..
All poor Sri Lankans are far better than these so called EUROPEANS..they have materialism .we have spiritualism.
You want to follow them and go to Hell. It is up to you..
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maalumiris / January 18, 2018
Singhalese pundit
Yeah, our spiritualism has really helped us !!
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Burt / January 18, 2018
Singhalese pundit:
Are you on Kerala Gunga?
You are hallucinating.
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Mahila / January 18, 2018
If it happens that they should work in Pubs to earn money to look after and feed the kids, so be it, instead of starving them without any job.
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Native Vedda / January 18, 2018
Singhalese pundit
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“Where will be your children go if you come drunk home from work in Pubs..”
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With their in laws. Where are the husbands?
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“You do not have time to look after children and yet you need to go out and work in Pubs..you want to drink and work in Pubs..”
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How do they manage in families with absentee fathers?
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“Europe is in the brink of family breakdowns and chaotic moral dilemma.”
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Let the Europeans do the worrying.
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“Buddhism has given you peace of mind ..”
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Maybe, however Sinhala/Buddhism hasn’t given anyone peace of mind in the past hundred or so years, in fact its a disaster since Anagarika Aryan Homeless Dharmapala promoted it.
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“All poor Sri Lankans are far better than these so called EUROPEANS..they have materialism .we have spiritualism.”
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You should stop the husbands going bars first then think about the women. What a Sinhala/Buddhist hypocrisy.
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“You want to follow them and go to Hell. It is up to you..”
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Let them meet you in hell if such thing exists.
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justice / January 17, 2018
Silly Sena is nowadays living in wonderland permeated only with worry about his future – hence the revocation of a right of women corrected after decades.
His minions, official & unofficial, whose future is tied up with his, too are worried.
He is not bothered about problems faced by citizens with the law, with law enforcement minions, & by undereducated members of this circus called ‘parliament’.
It is the right of all women to enjoy all rights equally with men.
This is so in progressive societies.
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Rajash / January 17, 2018
I am not sure what the fuss is all about. I was in Colombo during December holidays. On Christmas eve I went to Fine Wines at Union Place to buy some drinks, a lady pulled up in a SUV and bought a case of champagne.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
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LANKANITIZEN / January 17, 2018
Off with everyone’s drama , please give us in black and white ,how the hell are you , or any political leader or government in power or wish to come to power is planning to pay off our Rupees 9.5 Trillion debt we owe to the world ? What means ? In what time frame ! ? Already am sure what ever handouts we got are all gone with the wind. We are borrowing more and more , people are unemployed, people are starving , the common man is unaware that we are all sitting on a time bomb. What happens if all your speculation backfires sooner than it is suppose to ! ! ??? Can the present Finance minister give us reply !? If you can’t then please resign .
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
HUman rights are different in different countries in the world. Sri lanka should change the Human rights guide lines or code what ever. At present what UN human rights are what is practised western countries which value Judeo-christian Ideology. Sri lanka should change the initiative and should accept their own accord. It is not human rights. It is lack of discipline in the society. right now Sri lanka says, Sri lanka is a buddhist majority country. But, it is mostly muslims, christian and Tamil and Sinhala -buddhists are discriminated. Even christians should respect buddhists needs. Because, Christians can go to other countries start their Family Brothel. No one blame you unless you are caught. Or better go to India. but, In Sri lanka, you can not fight saying it is my right.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
Buying Alcohol can not be a Fundamental right. Alcohol is also carcinogenic and particularly dangerous to pregnent mothers. What about the infant’s rights. Who is going to protect when the mother is a drunkard.
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Gorakaya / January 23, 2018
Jim, have you ever had sex after alcohol. It is very pleasurable.
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Real Revolutionist / January 17, 2018
Very happy to see a Muslim woman among them but let me remind that alcohol makes you dizzy & kills your brain cells.
However well done Sabrina Esufally. Hope you’ll contribute to abolish MMDA (especially) for the benefit of Muslim women & other restrictions on your sisters like being deprived of the right to be fashionable etc. Further if your hubs want polygamy, women too should have that freedom to marry 4 husbands.
We love to see that happen Sabrina.
Sinhala & Tamil women have that freedom. but there’s an important question to be raised now.
In case women won the right to shop for liquor, drunkard husbands will start to order their wives/daughters/housemaids to shop for their liquor. The poor will send their ladies to slums as well in search of bootleg.
They’d not been able to do it thanks to the existed law but future will not be nice for women whose hubs are drunkards.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
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Real Revolutionist / January 17, 2018
Sad to mention that CT has caused an injustice to the president by publishing above photograph.
Please withdraw it and make an apology as he’s not the only leader in the world consume liquor.
I wonder whether it’s done on the instructions of some UNP MPs, desperately in need to belittle president.
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maalumiris / January 18, 2018
Why injustice ? Why are you sad ? Don’t be Sad …
Our President is a Poster Boy for “Do As I Say, Not as I Do”..
He is probably the only President who says “Dont Drink” and then goes and has a few drinks himself.
Maybe it is all the drink he has consumed – it has finally destroyed his ability to think logically!
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Native Vedda / January 18, 2018
maalumiris
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“He is probably the only President who says “Dont Drink” and then goes and has a few drinks himself.”
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It is because he is a Sri Lankan home grown politician. You have completely forgotten the word “hypocrisy”. It should not have come as a surprise. Ask his spin doctors what was the purpose of his stage managed latest outburst.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
It is the undisciplined money -driven western society that sent their women to work and destroyed their family unit and now the countries. Their countries were stolen from native people. They di dnot have a culture. they destroyed the native society also with liquor and diseases. they destroyed their own society.the same way. so, the women start learning sleeping around, getting drunkard, children have no father because of that father can go for a better woman.
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Uthungan / January 18, 2018
But Money driven Western tourists are of course ever welcome in SL with red carpet favoured treatment to be entertained by local and imported foreign females in 5Star hotels and luxurious beach resorts where natives cannot afford to go.
That doesn’t of course matter to those self righteous politicians and religious and moral humbugs who share the profits earned by investing in such ventures.
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wannihami / January 17, 2018
“Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,
Men were deceivers ever,-
One foot in sea and one on shore,
To one thing constant never.”
― William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
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Jim softy / January 17, 2018
Yesterday, bond report was given to the parliament. Today CT is full of Articles about president and how great is UNPATRIOTIC party. I think this is all UNPatriotic party propaganda. Otherwise, As chandra Dhramawardane says, why ahead of a local council election, A Alcohol problem is brought. who is going to profit. all games. NEws media is working for money. they do not care whether the country is destroyed or whether abandon women are lieing on the road. All nasty news.
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Dissanayake / January 17, 2018
It seems that the people who talk about the discrimination of women´s right based on this particular issue of alcohol prohibition law for women are cunning protectors of women´s rights ( in Sinhala it says kapati arakshkaya). These cunning protectors of women´s rights may have links with distilleries companies or liquor shop owners. I am not an all-time supporter of Mr Maithreepala Sirisena, but this time I agree with him whether he does it for political reasons. I ask is there any damage to women due to this prohibition so far. If these women genuinely think to protect women due to the discrimination and abuses, they should go to the court asking for the justice for the innocent girl who died recently after a gang rape by an alcoholic gang. It seems that the society has lost the values and motivated by pseudo-values, which may be controlled for the benefit of the few business people.
As per the official records, there are 10000 to 15000 deaths per year in Sri Lanka that are related to the illnesses due to alcohol consumption. Most of these deaths are men. If so who will be deprived by such deaths? That will be the women (wives, mothers, sisters) and children. The ladies who try to get the ban for women to sell and buy alcohol removed through the Supreme Court should look at the genuine injustices to the women due to alcohol consumption.
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Dissanayake / January 17, 2018
I think Mangala may have lifted the alcohol ban for women and the time limit to open a bar for the benefit of the business of Alocious, who has the monopoly of alcohol business in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, if everything goes wrong he may have to pay back the illegal profits from the treasury bond scam. Mangala and Ranil may have foreseen it and they may have given a chance to find money.
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thrishu / January 17, 2018
“…… irrepairable damage ….”? What irrepairable damage? I have not seen a statement of what this damage occurred to these ladies or the public. Is it that the ladies are alcoholics living on alcohol that flow in their veins and propping them up, drying out of which could make them shrivel like dry banana leaves. Such nonsense. The lawyer refrained in their description what religious background they come rom so that we could get a better idea of who is financing this game. Come on Mr President, make the law non-discriminatory. Ban the men and all in the gay communities buying, consuming and selling liquor. We don’t want this revenue if you could get all the central bank robbers to return their loot, enough to make this country richer than the USA.
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Rajash / January 17, 2018
I think the Govt is missing a trick here. Men in yellow robes conceal alcohol in side their attire and consume it to give them kick to go on the rampage and attack Muslim and Tamil properties.
Police have no power to stop them attacking or consuming alocohol openly in public place
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Percy / January 18, 2018
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Rajash / January 18, 2018
women cant buy or sell alcohol? – but they can consume?
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Praba Koronnan / January 18, 2018
Men can buy alcohol but can’t sell without a permit. Women can’t buy or sell. So what. Get the man to buy it for you. The man may want some favours in return. Is that what Sirisena wants! Country is definitely going down the gurgler.
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Rajash / January 18, 2018
women cant buy or sell alcohol?
air hostess served me alcohol and was selling duty free drinks – when i flew Sri Lankan airways in December
at BIA duty free shops Sinhala women were selling duty free alcohol and cigarettes
what humbug?
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Jim softy / January 18, 2018
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Burt / January 18, 2018
I thought BIA does not sell cigarettes. But your right more than 50% the staff at BIA duty free are women.
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Percy / January 18, 2018
Yes Burt they are duty free women. They don’t do their duty just hanging around like apes.
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Rajash / January 18, 2018
Percy no they dont just hang around like apes…..but they do solicit…..dress half naked …full of make up and a flash of smile…
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Rajash / January 18, 2018
I don’t smoke…so cant confirm either way
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Goraka / January 18, 2018
Our Buddhist country is a hypocritical one!
No alcohol on Poya days, but only men can purchase for rest of the year – 353 days/year. Alcohol is bad but Buddhist monks drink.
For those ladies who are making an issue – Don’t you have anything better to do? Are you’ll trying to make a name for yourselves? You are talking about alcohol that kills. No wonder Chefs are men and women complain about working in a Tavern. Shameful.
Stupid is what stupid does.
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Burt / January 18, 2018
Its really not hypocritical as Poya is based on the Moon. Only legal alcohol is not available, you should be able to find MOONSHINE in abundence.
The ladies have a point as they will be discriminated in more than liquor as they cannot be employed in positions they are not allowed to serve which puts restrictions of the tourist industry employing them .
Tavern is not the only place that sells alcohol.
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shankar / January 20, 2018
goraka
you say that no alcohol on poya days but other days can drink.So what.In sri lanka if sunday is sil then on monday on is kill.Are trying to change the culture of sri lankans? you cant change culture because it has been there for thousand years from the day that boatload came from orissa.That is why no country can you change the culture because it goes back so long into their history.If a leader tries to change it he will be toppled in double quick time.When in rome do as the romans do.You have no choice but to assimilate your culture with the culture of the country you are in.
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shankar / January 20, 2018
and goraka
another thing is that on poya days people use all their will power to follow some of Lord Bhuddha’s teachings.The teachings may be simple to preach to others but very difficult to practice.By the time poya is over people are exhausted by trying to be good boys and girls.Just like when an exam is over you want to let down your hair and enjoy without studying anymore,after poya is over they want to become ordinary boys and girls again and enjoy liquor and kill after sil.So what are you grumbling about.Though Lord Bhuddha says life is suffering does not mean you have take it literally do you?
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Lankan No 03 / January 18, 2018
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Devanam Piyadasa / January 18, 2018
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shankar / January 18, 2018
is whiskey nona one of them.When a photograph was taken of her buying whiskey ,she got mad.
you can’t blame her cos dealing with our incorrigible mongrel par;iamentarians for 10 years took their toll and she always needed that nightcap to calm her nerves for the next day.However when she told guys to meet her the next day at 8 o clock they are waiting and waiting till 8pm and at last she arrives.
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Upali / January 18, 2018
What if the ladies win? The President has violated the fundamental rights of women? What next?
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Goraka / January 18, 2018
Upali: “What if ladies win?”
Then these ladies can work in tavern with drunkun men.
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