Licensed liquor dealers in Sri Lanka have raised serious concerns that a proposed Organised Crime legislation could be weaponised against legitimate businesses, even as the Police Department fires back at allegations of misconduct, threatening legal action against the industry's top representative. The dispute has thrown a spotlight on the fragile relationship between law enforcement and the licensed liquor trade, raising broader questions about accountability, legislative intent, and the vulnerability of small business owners to potential abuse of power.
Dealers Sound the Alarm Over Proposed Legislation
The Sri Lanka Association of Liquor Licensees has come out strongly against the proposed Organised Crime law, with President Ajith Udugama warning that the legislation, in its current form, could be dangerously misused by unscrupulous officers within the police force. According to Udugama, the vague and sweeping language of the proposed bill could allow authorities to classify licensed liquor operations under organised criminal activity, exposing legitimate business owners to arbitrary arrests, raids, and prolonged legal battles.
The association argues that liquor licensees, who operate under strict regulatory frameworks and government-issued permits, should not find themselves lumped together with genuine criminal enterprises. Their fear is not merely hypothetical. Industry representatives point to a pattern of harassment that they claim already exists on the ground, suggesting that new and broader legal powers could dramatically worsen the situation for dealers operating within the law.
Allegations of Officers Demanding Free Liquor
Central to the current controversy are allegations made by Udugama that police officers have been visiting licensed liquor outlets and demanding free bottles of alcohol, using implicit and explicit threats to pressure shop owners into compliance. These claims, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of professional conduct and a clear abuse of authority by members of the force.
Udugama's decision to go public with these allegations has sparked immediate and fierce pushback from the Police Department. The association's president has maintained that these incidents are not isolated, describing a culture of intimidation that leaves many licensed dealers feeling powerless and reluctant to file formal complaints out of fear of retaliation.
Police Deny Allegations, Threaten Legal Action
The Police Department has categorically rejected the allegations, with spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler describing the claims as false and fabricated. In a strongly worded response, the department announced that it is considering legal action against Udugama for what it characterised as baseless allegations that damage the reputation of the police force and its officers.
The threat of legal action against a civilian who has raised concerns about police conduct has itself drawn criticism from civil society observers, who argue that such a move could have a chilling effect on legitimate grievances being brought into the public domain. Critics suggest that rather than pursuing defamation proceedings, the department would better serve public trust by conducting a transparent internal investigation into the specific complaints raised by the liquor licensees association.
A Broader Question of Legislative Safeguards
Beyond the immediate dispute, the controversy has reignited debate about the need for robust safeguards in any new organised crime legislation. Legal experts and civil liberties advocates have long cautioned that broadly worded laws targeting organised crime can, without proper checks and balances, become tools of harassment against ordinary citizens and legitimate businesses.
The liquor industry's concerns echo similar warnings raised by other business sectors whenever sweeping security or anti-crime legislation is proposed. The key issue, according to legal commentators, is whether adequate judicial oversight, clear definitions of criminal activity, and meaningful avenues for appeal are built into the law before it is passed. Without these protections, even well-intentioned legislation can be turned against the very people it was never meant to target.
Industry Calls for Dialogue and Transparency
The Sri Lanka Association of Liquor Licensees has called on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with industry stakeholders before advancing the proposed Organised Crime bill. Udugama and his colleagues are urging lawmakers to ensure that the legislation includes explicit protections for licensed and regulated businesses, preventing law enforcement from using the new powers against dealers who are fully compliant with existing licensing requirements.
The association has also reiterated its call for an independent investigation into the allegations of officers demanding free liquor, arguing that accountability within the police force is essential for maintaining public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
What Comes Next
As the standoff between the liquor licensees association and the Police Department continues, all eyes turn to policymakers who must navigate the competing demands of effective crime legislation and the protection of legitimate commercial activity. The outcome of this dispute may well set a significant precedent for how Sri Lanka balances law enforcement powers with the rights of business owners operating transparently within the country's regulatory system.