Offences Committed under the Influence of Liquor in Sri Lanka

Offences committed under the Influence of Liquor (Special Provisions) Act is an important Act to be aware when it comes to Liquor use.

According to the act, A person who, being under the influence of liquor, in public place or in any place where it is a trespass for him to enter, cause annoyance to another person shall be guilty of an offence. And if such person causes damage to public property shall be guilty of an offence and will get a prison sentence not less than six months and not exceeding two years and shall also be liable to a fine. So if someone commits such offences as mention in the above, peace officers have the power to arrest such person without a warrant.

Law even allows the examination done by a medical practitioner and, when it’s necessary to do a breath analysis tests (General public used to call this as the 'Balloon test'). Any person who refuses to submit himself to an examination by a Government medical officer or by an approved operator shall be liable upon conviction to imprisonment of not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding five hundred rupees or to both.

It’s prohibited to give any kind of liquor to a child under the age of twelve years except upon the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner or in the case of sickness.

It’s better to keep in mind not to sell liquor to a person under the age of eighteen years or else shall be get punished with imprisonment of not less than six months and not exceeding two years and shall also be liable to a fine. Normally a person shall be presumed to be under the influence of liquor if at or about the time of the commission of the act he smells of liquor. Hence it seems to be important to be aware of the Laws regarding the Offences Committed under the Influence of Liquor to prevent such offences and also to punish such people according to the law.