Sri Lanka’s Department of Excise has announced that all liquor shops across the country will be closed for three days in May in observance of the Vesak festival and International Workers’ Day.
Liquor outlets will remain shut on May 1 (International Workers’ Day), May 30 (Vesak Full Moon Poya Day), and May 31 (the day following Vesak Poya, a public holiday).
The Vesak dates were confirmed by the government earlier this week following a request from the Chief Prelates. The government also declared the State Vesak Week to run from May 27 to June 2, during which cultural events and religious observances are staged across the country.
The closures follow a similar three-day liquor ban during the Sinhala-Tamil New Year in April and are routine around Poya days and national religious festivals. Distributors and retailers are advised to plan stock and delivery schedules accordingly.
Enforcement of the closures is overseen by the Excise Department in coordination with the Police, with penalties for outlets that breach the restrictions.
