The bill was passed with 114 members voting in favour and 33 against. Among those who voted in favour was Minister Champika Ranawaka of the JHU while the Buddist monks of the party were absent. The SLMC members were also not present.
The amended bill was presented by Deputy Minister of Finance Sarath Amunugama, which will allow the setting up of Casino Business in designated areas of the country.
Fending off opposition criticism Minister Amunugama said that the Casinos are primarily meant for foreign tourists and would help to attract more visitors to the country.
However UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera said the Government is trying to legalize an illegal activity.
“Prostitution is legal in some countries so is the government going to legalize here as well?” he asked.
DNA MP Sunil Handunetti also criticized the Bill and said that instead of the Mahinda chinthanaya, the Government is adopting the “Las Vegas” Chinthanaya.
“Can you move towards creating Dharmarajaya by doing this kind of thing”, He asked.
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