Wednesday, 9 October 2013 01:34
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By Ashwin Hemmathagama
Our Lobby Correspondent
A Government attempt to smuggle through the controversial Casino Tax Relief Bill was foiled by the main opposition UNP yesterday.
Opposition Legislator Dr. Harsha de Silva requested Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to launch a “fair investigation” to find out why copies of the controversial Gazette notification were not tabled before the business of the House commenced.
“The Government is trying to hoodwink and mislead the members,” complained MP Dr. de Silva, who stirred the House when Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena tried to move the Casino Tax Relief Bill, which was not on the agenda because of a Party Leaders’ meeting set for late afternoon yesterday.
According to the United National Party sources, the Casino Tax Relief Bill elaborated on Gazette Extraordinary No. 182923 and 182924 discussing the integrated resort including gaming facilities at Glennie Street and Justice Akbar Mawatha will not be moved during the week due to the unexpected disruption by De Silva yesterday.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa is expected to reveal the outcome of his investigation in Parliament today.
