The Cabinet, this morning, has decided to revoke the gazette notification signed by Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera permitting women to legally purchase alcohol and work in bars. 

The decision was made following a statement made by the President, on the same matter, on Sunday. The President said he instructed authorities to revoke the gazette notification signed by Samaraweera, saying he only got to know about it "from the press". 

Samaraweera, through the gazette notification, amended a 1955 law that banned selling of alcohol to women. The move was viewed by many as a progressive move in terms of gender equality. It also help tourism, hospitality and leisure industries. 

Samaraweera also decided to increase the business hours of bars. That decision too has been shot down by the President.