Can you actually prevent people from drinking by banning liquor sales?

So everyone was agog with excitement when it was announced that the Ministry of Finance has given the go-ahead for online liquor sales.

However, within the next couple of hours, their hopes were dashed when our not-so-loved Army commander stated that the Covid Prevention task force has not given permission to do so.

There were several other groups who were vociferously against this as well. For various reasons of their own.

But the important question to ask is are they actually preventing people from drinking?

The answer is a resounding No.

Those who drink will still drink. By hook or by crook. If it’s not booze bought at black market prices then it will be moonshine.

I was watching an interview online with the Commissioner-General of Excise. He stated that the banning of liquor sales was a double-edged sword.

On one side the government is losing much-needed revenue. On the other side, there will be an additional strain on our already stretched medical services due to Alcohol poisoning as more and more people turn to Moonshine.

Anyway, I have always been puzzled by our society’s and thereby our government’s attitude towards alcohol.

Why are we trying to control it so much? What is our problem with it?

Of course, I don’t mean that alcohol should be given freely to youngsters. I believe that a more moderate stance should be taken where we promote responsible drinking instead of these fanatical arbitrary measures. Even in India who I thought was far more fanatical than we are, one can order and have liquor delivered to your home.

If an adult wants to purchase a bottle of alcohol why should so many obstacles be placed on his way.

I said he and not she intentionally.

Because even in these modern times it is illegal for a female to purchase alcohol. Yes, the law was removed but then it was reintroduced 4 days later.

Fortunately, the law is not enforced. Other than bringing us international shame it looms over us like a sword of Damocles to be used by some unscrupulous law enforcement authority to violate human rights.

Some are against the sale of liquor saying it deteriorates our social fabric. That alcohol leads to violence and abuse.

I do not deny that. Of course, there are more than a few instances where we have seen inebriated people resort to violence.

But does that mean ALL those who drink behave in such an irresponsible manner? No!

Then why punish the whole for the mistakes of a few?

My personal point of view is Alcohol does not CAUSE social issues. But people are lead to drink BECAUSE of the social issues they face.

Others say it is because of our Buddhist Heritage.

Again, if we followed the principles of Lord Buddha, then we should stop drinking on our own accord. Instead of being forced to do so.

In non-lockdown times during Poson liquor sales would be banned for 5 days.

Does it stop anyone from drinking? No, people just stock up, as you can see from the lines outside the liquor stores during pre-poya days.

And the worst is those who enact these laws do not practice what they preach. As we saw recently when the Sathosa outlet in Anuradhapura was forced open, apparently by the army and 8000 bottles of liquor were “Bought”.

In the end, all this is nothing but pious posturing. To impress who? I am yet to figure it out.

Why aren’t the so-called representatives of the people making some noise about the downside of the liquor ban?

Well, one main reason is that when liquor is sold through the official channels, it is the government coffers that get filled. However, when it is sold illegally it is the pockets of the black marketers and Kassippu Mudalali’s that are getting filled. They are the same people who will fund the political campaigns of our representatives when it comes to election time.

Frustrating much? It sure is for me. I need a drink to make it all go away.