Court petition seeks ban on rice and sugar in beer production

A writ application filed in the Court of Appeal requests an order preventing the Excise Commissioner General and others from approving the use of rice and sugar as primary ingredients in beer manufacturing.

A group of licensed liquor dealers filed the petition, naming the Excise Commissioner General, excise officials, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of Police as respondents.

The Excise Ordinance explicitly defines "beer" as a fermented liquor made from malt, according to the petitioners.

They allege that information reveals most manufacturers currently utilise rice and sugar as primary ingredients for production, which directly violates the provisions of the Excise Ordinance.

Utilising rice for a commercial industry like brewing severely impacts the national economy, especially since the government provides massive public subsidies for rice cultivation, the petitioners stated.

They pointed out that this practice hinders Sri Lanka from achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.

Furthermore, the SLSI failed to update its quality control mechanisms to properly monitor modern liquor production standards.

The petitioners are therefore requesting the court to issue an order restraining the Excise Commissioner General and other respondents from permitting sugar and rice to be used as primary ingredients in brewing, alongside several other court orders.