Harsha says casino regulator must ahead of ‘City of Dreams Sri Lanka’ opening

Friday, 3 May 2024 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday stressed the urgent need for the Government to enact and operationalise the long-awaited casino regulator before the opening of the integrated ‘City of Dreams Sri Lanka’ resort by John Keells Holdings PLC and Melco.

Taking to ‘X,’ Dr. de Silva, who chairs the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), underscored the necessity of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as Finance Minister, ensuring the establishment of the regulator before the resort’s opening to ensure that true revenue accrues to the Treasury.

“This is particularly with the gaming tax that is otherwise never collected. I will take this up at the next Parliament sitting,” he noted.

Despite these concerns, Dr. de Silva expressed optimism regarding the partnership between John Keells Holdings PLC and Melco, noting the stature of the latter as an operator.