Quality Standards in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, a nation rich in tradition and culture, is known for its diverse range of alcoholic beverages, each with its unique characteristics and flavors. Over the years, the industry has evolved, with the Excise Department playing a vital role in regulating and defining these products. However, until recently, the definitions provided for various alcoholic beverages have been outdated and lacked clarity. This article explores the transformation of Sri Lanka’s alcobev industry as it embraces modernization through well-defined quality standards issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).
Traditionally, the Excise Department was responsible for defining and regulating alcoholic beverages in Sri Lanka. However, the definitions it provided were often vague and outdated, leaving room for confusion and misinterpretation. For example, according to the Excise Ordinance, one of the oldest ordinances in our country, with a history spanning over 100 years, toddy, beer, and spirit beverages were defined, but these definitions left much to be desired.
Recognizing the need for clear and updated standards, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) stepped in to address the deficiencies in the industry. Since 1985, the SLSI has been actively involved in defining the quality standards for alcoholic beverages, paving the way for modernization and regulation in the sector.
Although SLSI began its journey in the 1980s, it initially issued standards for only two alcobev categories: Beer and Arrack until 2020.
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Beer (SLSI 234: 2016):
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Arrack (SLSI 919: 2020):
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Rum (SLSI 1687 PART 2: 2020)
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Whisky (SLSI 1687 PART 2: 2020)
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Brandy (SLSI 1687 PART 3: 2020)
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Vodka (SLSI 1687 PART 4: 2020)
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Gin (SLSI 1687 PART 5: 2020)
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Tequila (SLSI 1687 PART 6: 2020)
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The inclusion of these popular alcobev categories under clear, comprehensive standards ensures that consumers can enjoy high-quality, safe products while producers have clear guidelines to follow.
Gaps in Standards
While the SLSI has made significant strides in defining standards for various alcoholic beverages, there are still gaps in the coverage. Notably, there are no standards defined by SLSI for Toddy, Sake, and Wine, leaving room for ambiguity in these categories.
However, a promising development occurred in 2022 when the former Excise Commissioner, Mr. M. J. Jayasinghe, announced through a media release dated 2022/05/29 that the production of liquor and alcohol in Sri Lanka must comply with the standards issued by the SLSI. Thus however remain to be implemented.
