Wednesday, 30 October 2013 00:44
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A casino committee set up by the main opposition United National Party convened for talks last week decided to muster opposition for the Government’s controversial plan to set up a casino zone in Colombo on grounds that it would erode social values in Colombo.
The UNP Casino Committee comprises MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, Ajith Perera, Joseph Michael Perera and Kabir Hashim. A notable exclusion from the Committee is the UNP’s firebrand and vocal critic of casinos MP and its Chief Spokesman on the economy Dr. Harsha de Silva.
The committee met on 23 October and will hold discussions again with the Government poised to reintroduce the controversial gazette to Parliament next month.
Jayasuriya said the Committee would not be taking a technical view of the new laws but decide how to mobilise support against the legislation on moral and ethical grounds.
Jayasuriya said that the Committee would also seek the support of UNP Spokesman on Economic Affairs and MP Dr. Harsha de Silva who had not been available for the first meeting of the Committee.
De Silva had in depth knowledge on the issue and would be invaluable for inputs to the UNP Committee, Jayasuriya added.
“This casino zone and culture poses a serious threat to Sri Lankan society and threatens to erode our values,’ Jayasuriya told the Daily FT. (DB)
