It has been revealed that nearly 50 percent of the liquor licenses now in operation in Sri Lanka are those issued within the period 1997 to 2001.

While responding to a question in parliament by United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian P. Harrison, the Finance Ministry has stated that currently there are 2,963 valid liquor licenses operational in Sri Lanka.

Among these licenses, 449 have been issued in 1997; 137 in 1998; 424 in 1999; 225 licenses in 2000; 170 in 2001; 185 in 2003 and 203 licenses in 2004.