Police to implement special operation against illicit liquor, narcotics

COLOMBO (News1st): A special operation will be introduced to combat illicit liquor and narcotics, a senior police official said, as it could thwart efforts to combat the coronavirus. "There is a risk that the virus could be spread by those consuming illicit liquor and narcotics," Deshabandu Tennakoon, the senior DIG of the Western Province said on Saturday. Illicit liquor related complaints had increased rapidly amidst the lockdown style curfew which saw liquor stores being kept closed in the country. However, this week the excise department permitted retail liquor license stores to be kept open in areas which are not under a curfew. The sale of liquor at supermarkets in the districts of Colombo and Gampaha which are under curfew has also been allowed.