Game is up on casinos charges Karu

Thursday, 25 July 2013 01:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Following months of subverting the controversial casino licensing issue, the Government had finally shown its hand that it was promoting

gambling in a big way, the main Opposition United National Party said yesterday. Senior UNP Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday that the Government was forging ahead with its casino zone plans despite stiff opposition from civil society and religious leaders and even requests from the Mahanayakes. Addressing a media briefing, Jayasuriya said that the Government had earlier repeatedly pledged in Parliament that it was not planning to issue new casino licences. Criticising the infamous James Packer, project Jayasuriya said these projects were being fronted as hotel developments. «It will be difficult to curb the spread of large scale prostitution and alcoholism when casinos operate around the country,» he charged. «Under this regime, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a paradise of drunkards, gamblers and prostitutes,” he said. Jayasuriya condemned the massive tax holiday being granted to the casino projects, saying they came at the expense of the citizens and only increased their financial burdens. (DB)