The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam has moved an Adjournment Motion today regarding the issuing of liquor bar licences. In the old political culture of this country, bar licences were often given effectively as bribes to politicians. Members of this Parliament and the people listening know who owns the liquor outlets in their localities; if you look closely, these have been granted based on political connections. When enticing MPs to cross over from one party to another, beyond official salaries or privileges, bar permits were effectively given as lifelong bribes to make money. It is in that context that questions are now being raised about bar licences previously given as bribes to politicians and other individuals by the former government.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, when issuing such licences, certain factors must be considered: whether there is a real need in that area, the economic level of the area, and the cultural and social context. Yet we saw the previous government, close to an election, issuing a large number of bar licences within a very short period to gain petty political advantage. The names of those beneficiaries have already been revealed to this Parliament. The present government is conducting inquiries to determine whether those licences were issued following the relevant recommendations and in line with regulatory requirements.

¶ 03 As the National People's Power government, we state clearly to the people and to this Parliament: under our government, no bar licence has been or will be given as a bribe or as a special favour to any MP or any individual according to the old political culture. If any licence has been issued, we are inquiring whether it was done based on proper recommendations and whether the regulatory requirements were fulfilled.

¶ 04 If, following investigations, legal action must be taken against any person, we will take such legal action. Likewise, if specific conditions have not been met, we will act to cancel those licences when the opportunity arises. The National People's Power government will not hesitate to act accordingly.

¶ 05 Thank you.