Sri Lanka, May 18 -- A writ application filed in the Court of Appeal requests an order preventing the Excise Commissioner General and others from approving the use of rice and sugar as primary ingredients in beer manufacturing.

A group of licensed liquor dealers filed the petition, naming the Excise Commissioner General, excise officials, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of Police as respondents.

The Excise Ordinance explicitly defines "beer" as a fermented liquor made from malt, according to the petitioners.

They allege that information reveals most manufacturers currently utilise rice and sugar as primary ingredients for production, which directly violates the provisions of t...