Liquor stores to close for Vesak

All liquor shops will remain closed on May 30 and 31 due to the National Vesak Festival.

The Excise Commissioner General announced this decision via a statement.

Following a Cabinet decision dated 2026.03.30, the National Vesak Festival previously scheduled for May 1 and 2 will not take place on those dates.

Consequently, liquor outlets will only close on May 1 for the Poya day.

This results in a total of three closure days in May: the 1st, 30th, and 31st.

The Commissioner General requests the public to report any licensed premises failing to close or violating license conditions by calling the 1913 hotline or emailing [email protected].

All excise officers island-wide received instructions to strictly enforce the law against any establishments breaching these conditions, according to Excise Commissioner General M. B. N. A. Pemaratne.