"Meat and liquor sales at supermarkets and hotels will be banned during this period," the government said in a statement. Bars are usually closed on Buddhist holidays but the decision to ban meat sales at supermarkets is a first and was broadly seen as a gesture to the island's powerful clergy. It follows the government's surprise decision this month to delay May Day festivities by a week after Buddhist leaders complained the date clashed with Vesak celebrations. It is the first time the holiday has been shifted from May 1 since Sri Lanka began celebrating the labour day festivities in 1956. Sri Lanka, a Buddhist-majority nation of 21 million, celebrates 26 public holidays.

Source: Daily Mail April 26, 2018 09:00 UTC