Nationwide, liquor sales have increased by 7-8% this year. This is probably a good thing.
This is not to say that booze is a good thing, or that boozing is. The Buddha says all things in moderation, but I’ve never been able to not fuck that one up. Outside any Sri Lankan school they paint murals and a classic one is booze destroying families. So why is increasing liquor sales a good thing?
“Sales of hard liquor and beer have increased by about 7-8 percent in 2011 compared with 2010, although exact figures are not yet available,” he told a news conference.
“The main reasons for the increased consumption are the re-opening of the markets in the north-east, more tourist arrivals and lower illicit alcohol consumption.”(Excise Commissioner, via LBO)
The reasons for increased sales are all good. I remember eating roti at the Medavachchiya checkpoint and seeing a Distilleries lorry go through, right after the war ended. The North and East have entered the normal Sri Lankan market, which is great. More tourists, also good, and reduced illicit alcohol consumption (kasippu) is very very good.
Kasippu consumption is more common than any other alcohol, and much more destructive. If that’s dropping and more people are getting on the legal grid, all the better.
Alcohol is a mixed bag. The downsides of alcohol (violence, bad sexuality) are actually more culturally mediated than inherent in the drug. One fact is that people like it and do it and so, God willing with moderation. The best news in these growth figures is if kasippu consumption is dropping on the other end, bringing Sri Lankan alcohol consumption into a legal and manageable culture.
This is a very true fact. I have seen huge crowds near liquor stores in the maharagama and kottawa suburbs.. good or bad, poverty or wealthy . The only way for liquor sales seems to be up . good for the country’s economy i guess :)
Thank god you mentioned god in this post. Don’t mis-interpret budha’s teaching dear. Lord Buddha’s doctrine tells us to use moderation in our daily lives. Unfortunately, many people in Sri Lanka misinterpret the moderation doctrine by breaking the five commandments, which include the abstinence from alcohol drinks.
More over there are more than 1000 gurus in Hiduism like Lord Buddha where all of them agree in abstinence from alcohol drinks.
Hmm. I made 5000 rupees today by bitcoin trading. Time to go and buy a bottle of JW.
The goal is awareness, and intoxicants make that harder, if not impossible. I’ve always taken it as a tip to avoid intoxications, but I think the wording actually is intoxicants, fermented drinks and other
Problem is in Sri Lanka people do not know what responsible drinking is. So almost everyone gets pissed off their faces and I have to admit it’s pretty ugly. Picture fugly, black Sri Lankans drunk off their face staggering around and mumbling gibberish, getting into fights with baila music playing in the background and you have to vomit a little. Many SL villages and towns are totally fucked up because of this. Oh well.
Good on the Muslims for actually following their religion – they are healthier and better off for it.
Herb is the healing of a nation, Alcohol it’s destruction – Bob Marley
Come on, Omr, we didn’t really ask you what Christmas is like at your house, thanks.
I don’t really celebrate Christmas – it’s just another day for me.
Yes, your description of Christmas at your place hardly seems like a celebration. More like punishment.
Don’t have Christmas parties either, sorry. I think you’re confusing the issue with your tranny get-togethers.
No, machang. Just commenting on your description of your fugly uncles and aunts :D
I don’t think anyone will deny that Sri Lankans, in general, are fugly as a people. Yes, that includes you and your family.
But you’ve been describling YOUR fugly aunties above, no? Sounds like your family fell off the ugly tree and grabbed every branch on the way down. What do they call you; Kalu Putha? :D
Nope I’m describing the vast majority of Sri Lankans. Including you and your family and your tranny get togethers.
Yes the goal is actually self awareness. Not only intoxicants some thoughts can alter ones awareness too. Obsessed with biased thinking alter one’s awareness of true state.