Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has ordered the closure of all liquor and meat outlets islandwide on the 26th and 27th of this month given the Vesak festival.

Accordingly, all liquor stores, animal slaughterhouses and butcher shops should be closed on the 26th and 27th and the Prime Minister has instructed to stop selling liquor as well as meat through supermarkets.

The government has already ordered the closure of liquor stores due to travel restrictions and the sale of meat should be stopped completely today and tomorrow in conjunction with the Vesak festival, the Prime Minister said.

Rohan Weliwita, Secretary to the Prime Minister