UNP turns the tables on Govt.’s plans for mega casinos with amendment

Wednesday, 23 April 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The United National Party (UNP) has decided to submit amendments to the three projects scheduled to be brought back to Parliament on 24 and 25 April to legalise casinos. These amendments, as proposed by the UNP Chairman of the Leadership Council Karu Jayasuriya and to be moved by the Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, were forwarded to the Secretary General of Parliament yesterday. The move follows the Government's attempt to allow gaming activities under “associated facilities” in approved mega mixed development projects.

That amendment reads as follows: Add the following words immediately after Clause 3 and before Clause 4 of the aforesaid Order: Provided that under no circumstances and at no time shall any activity in the nature of gaming, gambling, casinos as defined under Section 5 of Casino Business (Regulations) Act No. 17 of 2010 and betting on horse racing and the like by whatever name and any activity in the nature of prostitution or brothels and the like by whatever name be permitted to be carried on either directly or indirectly within the “Project” or its branches or associated enterprises. These Projects are scheduled to be presented to be passed by Parliament under Strategic Development Projects Act No. 14 of 2008. Even before this, a project for the purpose of operating, selling, leasing and renting an “iconic” integrated resort consisting of multiple business including a luxury hotel, convention centre, entertainment and gaming facilities, international standards shopping mall, luxury condominiums, serviced apartments and office space and a project to set up and operate an integrated resort including a minimum of 400 room hotel with meeting and convention facilities, gaming activities, fine-dining, restaurants and other associated facilities at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo in the Western Province with a total investment of $ 350 million were presented to Parliament on 8 October 2013 for approval. Still, the Government was compelled to withdraw those Bills without a debate due to the protests carried out by the political parties, civil organisations and religious leadership in and out of the Parliament. Having removed the so called “Gaming and Gambling facilities” and replacing it with the words “associated facilities,” the same thing has been presented as new Orders to Parliament for its approval. Since the Orders have been presented this time by concealing whether the relevant Projects contain the facilities for gaming and gambling that raised public protest, the United National Party has decided to submit the relevant amendments.