Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs has instructed to close all liquor stores and meat stalls island-wide today (26) and tomorrow (27) in view of the Vesak festival.

Accordingly, on the 26th and 27th of May, all liquor stores, slaughterhouses, and meat stalls should be closed and the sale of liquor and meat through supermarkets should be halted.

The government has already closed the liquor stores due to current travel restrictions and the sale of meat should also be halted today and tomorrow, the Prime Minister said.