COLOMBO (News 1st): Deputy Director General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath says that the decision to reopen liquor outlets was not one taken by the Ministry of Health. The Deputy Director General of Health Services also stated that decisions regarding reopening establishments are usually taken by the Government with the involvement of the health sector and the security forces. 03 of 1897, the competent authority is the Director General of Health Services. DG Health Services imposed the curfew on the island on the 11th September and extended it. In announcing the situation, the Director General of Health Services did not permit to reopen wine stores in the countryDeputy Director General of Health stated that he was aware that the competent authority, the Director General of Health, had not given any approval for that.

Source: The Nation September 18, 2021 08:15 UTC