Investment Promotion Minister bemoans UNP attempt to discredit CBF delegate Packer
Wednesday, 13 November 2013 00:54
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Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena in a statement expressed regret over the UNP’s action of filing a complaint with the Police over Commonwealth Business Forum delegate and speaker James Packer, who is also the Chairman of Crown Resorts of Australia.
Following is the full text of the Investment Promotion Minister’s statement:
United National Party MP Dr. Harsha de Silva filed a complaint at Police Headquarters Colombo that James Packer was in Sri Lanka to promote a casino project in the country where casinos are illegal.
It should be noted that casinos were introduced to this country during the UNP regime and the United National Party Government at that time brought in the Betting and Gaming Levy Act No. 40 of 1988 which created a revenue generating mechanism to the State, although necessary provisions were introduced to legalise betting and gaming activities in Sri Lanka. No regulations were formed by the same regime to regulate such betting and gaming activities which has created numerous effects to the society.
In view of this the levy charge for casinos was increased up to Rs. 100 million for 2013 to limit operations of such activity. Further as casinos were being carried out in an ad-hoc manner without any form of regulation, the Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010 was passed in Parliament with the sole purpose of regulating the said business in order to safeguard social norms of this country.
The Government policy is clear that no new licenses will be issued and parties who had conformed to the provisions of the Betting and Gaming Levy Act would be brought in within the Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010, in keeping with the Government’s effort to regulate the industry. The Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010 would take effect when necessary regulations are promulgated to give effect to the said provisions.
Thus, it is disturbing and regrettable that Dr. Harsha de Silva identifying himself as an economist should try to discredit a foreign investor who is a delegate at the Commonwealth Business Forum. It goes against the law and common sense that one’s intention could be construed to be a violation of the law and I call upon Dr. Harsha de Silva to show what provision of the law has been violated by Packer as there is none.
All Sri Lankans should be proud of the Commonwealth Business Forum being conducted in Sri Lanka and should encourage any investor to be welcomed and be a part of it.
It is regrettable that the United National Party is trying to discredit Sri Lanka by resorting to acts of this nature for the purpose of petty politics which I believe would be condemned by Sri Lankans.
I appeal to Dr. Harsha de Silva to act with a sense of responsibility, as all Sri Lankans are showcasing Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Summit and the Commonwealth Business Forum for greater economic and social prosperity for Sri Lanka.
