Mathata Thitha has proved to be a popular and welcome slogan at elections, along with other promises. It proved so with the victory of the incumbent President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Such promises are however not sustainable, for intoxicants have a proclivity to hold the fancy of both man and woman. Man never invented intoxicating fluids. It is a gift from Nature to humanity. We only discovered it, for spirits are a product of fermenting vegetable matter. Man’s inventive spirit copied it-to make a money spinning, gold mine of the industry. Intoxicating beverages have come to stay. The recent sealing of wine stores for black marketing lays bare the truth that there is an insatiable demand for intoxicants Closing of liquor bars and wine shops, even temporarily, for whatever reason is a fillip to the manufacture of illicit brews. The bootlegger profits and fattens, whilst the state loses revenue Alcoholic beverages fulfil a social need, for it adds to the bonhomie, revelry and camaraderie at gatherings.

The solitary bibber is one who is unfortunately mentally disturbed and finds solace in dreaming of what he missed and of what and how he could achieve, until intoxication lulls him to sleep and forgetfulness. It is the man who is thirsty that stretches out for water. Likewise the need to suppress ones physical and mental discomfiture makes one indulge in intoxicants. The economic status is directly related to the consumption patterns of intoxicants The harmful liquor like kassippu is popular amongst the poorer strata in society. it is harmful and those who use it are aware of it, but continue to use it. It is similar to the suicide who quaffs off a poisonous potion who in his helplessness believes that his problems are insurmountable.

In affluent countries illicit brews are nonexistent. It is the bootlegger and smuggler who provide the cheap liquor. Liquor safe for consumption is not confined to licensed stores. Is freely available in all stores for anyone to pick up on the way home. It is a relaxative from the labour and stress of the day. On religious holidays liquor shops are closed, but on the previous day all liquor is sold out, showing the scramble of people for alcoholic beverages. Limiting the sale of liquor for any reason, swells corruption. Alcohol is Nature’s gift to society. Like all gifts should be used wisely. Hooch den raids and destruction of liquor are ill advised. It was a practice in colonial times for the white sahibs to consume foreign liquor whilst prohibiting the use of intoxicants to the indigenous. populace. Those caught were fined and the money went to the colonial coffers. Exploitation par excellence, one could say. Old practices should be scrapped. Destroying liquor is money down the drain. the liquor trade and its distribution should be rethought with the economic reawakening of the Country. News reveals a marked increase in the production of local liquor. The increase commenced in 2006 by 16.9% .30.2% in 2007. Arrack production rose from 38.4 million litres in 2005 to 44.9 in 2006, 50.08 in 2007 and 57.4 in 2008. Imports of foreign liquor shot up by 3. 13% in 2006, 63.97% in 2007 and 33.26% in 2008. The Mahinda Chintanaya was at work.

The pressure that opposition politicians is mounting on the Government to curtail issuance of liquor permits will reduce the revenue of shops and restaurants, wine stores and bars, thus reducing tax monies The Excise department has increased raids with the hope of ending the illicit liquor business. The department is being misled It is a myopia, a parochial dream of the little minds of petty politicians, hell bent on toppling the Government.