Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dallas Alahapperuma alleged that except for a few, including himself, all those elected and appointed MPs had received
liquor permits following the parliamentary polls in Aug 1994.
Minister Alahapperuma blamed President Kumaratunga for encouraging the consumption of liquor. The SLFP Treasurer admitted that the PA was responsible for setting up wine stores all over the country. He said it was a grave mistake on the part of the then President whose action caused irreparable damage to the society.
The minister made the revelation while speaking at Akuressa after having provided medical assistance to 50 elderly people from funds made available by Southern Provincial Councillor Manoj Sirisena.
The minister said that 22 per cent of males and six per cent of females consumed liquor, while 28 per cent of males and one per cent of females smoked. A healthy society couldn’t be created merely through implementation of government health policies, Minister Alahapperuma said.
