Casinos are needed: Dy. Minister

30 October 2015 03:42 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Casinos are required to bring in additional high-spending tourists, Tourism and Christian Affairs Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando told Mirror Business.

“I know different people have different views, but my view is that casinos are needed,” he said.

He added that casinos are a major source of entertainment for the type of high-spending tourists Sri Lanka aims to attract.

“But we shouldn't let locals enter. We should have them in a separate place, like the US has in Las Vegas,” Fernando said.

Singapore has made a fortune in tourism through casinos but is discouraging locals by charging excessively for their entry.

Casinos were the centre of major controversy last year. Australian casino king James Packer was invited to open shop by the past regime, with locals such as John Keells Holdings also seeking to start operations and Dhammika Perera hoping to extend his current casino business as well.
The current regime, while in the opposition, had rallied religious leaders to their cause in blocking the casinos.

Jetwing Group Chairman Hiran Cooray had later gone on to suggest that an isolated destination such as the under developed Kalpitiya zone be developed into a casino strip.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently said that casinos will not be started by the new regime.

Govt. eyeing ‘Hawker Streets’

The government will be evaluating the possibility of facilitating Southeast Asian style ‘Hawker Streets’ and providing funding to existing vendors to increase tourism spending in Sri Lanka.

“In Malaysia and Thailand, there are food stalls on the street. Here, we should see if can get the help of the Colombo Municipal Council to set up temporary huts in a road like Marine Drive in the evening for food stalls,” Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando said.

Singapore is world famous for its hawker street food with stall owners providing both regional and international cuisine. They used to cater to the local lifestyle, but became a culinary tourism phenomenon following the turn of the century. Most have become permanent hawker centres.

Fernando said that the government will look at setting up a funding scheme for small scale vendors as well.

“We have seen that the pineapple and fruit vendors in Thailand cut their fruits in different designs and place them on ice as a presentation. In our country, our pineapple sellers are selling just like in the past. We want to help them,” he said.

He added that stall owners around cultural attractions such as Sigiriya will also be given such funding and assistance to upgrade their service quality and increase tourism spending.

“We have to do things like this from the grass root levels right up to the top levels. We have to help the industry,” he said. (Chandeepa Wettasinghe)

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Comments - 9

Goliwog Friday, 30 October 2015 10:16 AM

The man who has a direct link with god who saw a missing man overseas. Ha Ha Ha, what a joker. He should be behind bars.

Goliwog Friday, 30 October 2015 10:18 AM

Ah! The US has a separate place for foreigners in Las Vegas. Where is it? Never seen such a place.

Sincere Friday, 30 October 2015 10:27 AM

Is this another gimmick to once again get down their old friend Packer here?

the-don Friday, 30 October 2015 10:40 AM

Infrastructure brings investment. Casinos on the other hand brings vice. Drugs prostitution and corruption always follow Casino. So choose wisely.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 30 October 2015 11:01 AM

The food dished out by street hawkers in Malaysia and Singapore and even India is delicious, this is because those hawkers have simple dedication towards their task. In SL, the hawkers are more interested in making a quick buck than providing a culinary delight. That is why it will never be a success.

Asoka Abeywardena Friday, 30 October 2015 11:07 AM

I did not read whats written above...when I see the photo of the person I got the strong spirit smell and wanted to through out...

sa Friday, 30 October 2015 11:17 AM

casinos should only for tourists not for locals.

Dee Friday, 30 October 2015 02:23 PM

We know very well who you were in the previous regime.

S.P.RAMKUMAR Friday, 30 October 2015 06:23 PM

Yes Minister SirCasinos, Ethanol and brothel houses are necessary. No more arguments.

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Casinos are needed: Dy. Minister

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