Liquor stores, meat stalls to be closed for Vesak

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lankan authorities have ordered the temporary closure of outlets including liquor stores, casinos, and meat stalls in line with the Vesak Festival from Wednesday until May 8. The country will witness muted celebrations of the otherwise colourful Vesak Festival on May 7, which will mark the birth, enlightenment, and the demise of Lord Buddha. Liquor stores, abattoirs, betting centres, casinos, and clubs, will be closed down, while the sale of meat and liquor in supermarkets would be prohibited during this period, the public administration ministry said. However, government authorities have declared an island-wide curfew from May 6 to May 11, as part of efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus. This year's Vesak Festival will be celebrated under the theme “Health is the paramount wealth – Happiness is the enduring wealth” this year, the ministry overseeing Buddhist affairs said.