Former Army Commander, Minister Sarath Fonseka yesterday batted for Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera's gazette to allow women to legally purchase alcohol. 

"If women can operate fighter jests, if women can explore the planet, what's the problem with allowing them to open a bar?" the former Army Commander asked, while speaking to media in Kelaniya, yesterday.

"I don't support discrimination of women. No one can say only men should be allowed to consume or sell alcohol. That's not fair," Fonseka said. 

"But it should be done legally," the former military chief, now a member of the Cabinet, said.

However, the Cabinet, including Fonseka, unanimously endorsed President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to revoke Samaraweera's gazette on revision of laws relating to alcohol. 

With that decision, Sri Lanka reenacted a 60 year old law to bar women from purchasing alcohol and working in bars.