The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the alcoholic beverage industry has been well-documented over the last several weeks.

Alcoholic beverage manufacturers were ordered to cease on-site consumption in their taprooms as a result of statewide stay at home orders have been forced to take drastic measures to stay in business.

Meanwhile, Lion Brewery Ceylon Plc, Sri Lanka's largest beer manufacturer said the company is waiting to "commence its operations once the island-wide curfew is lifted.

In a disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the company stated that it suspended all its operations in line with the curfew imposed on 20 March 2020. The sale of alcoholic beverages has been temporarily suspended across the country since the imposition of curfew. Therefor, the company awaits the lifting of the curfew to resume full operations.

Likewise, Since Tourism, wages and levels of employment are likely to be compromised in the short term, the company expects a drop in demand across all FMCG’s including beer and its performance in the on-going financial year which will reflect consumer sentiment.

Meanwhile, premier blue-chip company and the largest distiller in the country, the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) said it's also hoping to recommence liquor sales as soon as possible.

In a disclosure to the CSE, Melstacorp limited, the parent company of Distilleries Company reiterated that currently their utmost priority is to getting their beverage sector to function normal as soon as possible which would cushion to a great extent adverse impact on the company's finances.

“The Beverages sector which contributes significantly both to top line and bottom line revenue of the company and indeed significantly to the Governments revenue it is imperative that the present curtailment on the sale of liquor is normalized in the not too distant future,” Melstacorp PLC Managing Director Amitha Gooneratne stressed.