JHU to continue opposition to Casino gazette

22 October 2013 04:43 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary and Minister Champika Ranawaka a strong opponent of the Casino Bill at this week’s Cabinet meeting, made a fervent appeal to the authorities urging them to avoid making Sri Lanka a Casino and a Heroin Hub.

He told a media conference today there were signs that instead of the five-hub concept propagated initially by the UPFA government it was turning more towards anti-Buddhist and anti-social forms of development.

The JHU praised President Mahinda Rajapaksa for putting the gazette on hold but said that powerful government officials were going ahead with their agenda to make it a success.

The minister said the JHU would continue to oppose the Casino Bill and urge the people irrespective of party affiliation to join together to stop bringing the scourge of casinos to this country.

He said government revenue had reduced because of subsidies.

“Therefore there is a major budget deficit. So some state officials backed by powerful businessmen think that bringing casinos would help the government to increase its revenue,” he said. “We can see that these state officials are more powerful than ministers. Through the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma we wanted to at least control this menace. There were 14 casinos some time ago and now it has reduced to four, which is a good sign,” the minister said.
He said they are doing everything to avoid future conspiracies head by black-money businessmen against the government.

“They can influence politics or even the media and these are bad signs for the future. What they do is make black money, white. Only in Sri Lanka that efforts are being made to set up casinos in the capital while in other countries they are located in islands or thousands of kilometers away from the main cities,” the minister said.

Western Provincial Minister Udaya Gammanpila said 100 years ago Sri Lanka was known as the Liptons Tea Estate but in few years’ time it might be called the James Packer-colony.

He asked how the government could give relief to casinos and make them tax-free for 10 years.

JHU parliamentary group leader Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said that it was neither the Cabinet nor the President but some state officials who were powerful enough to decide on the Bill. (Supun Dias)

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

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Comments - 20

Prof. Calculas Wednesday, 23 October 2013 07:10 AM

They should decamp. These opportunist want eat the cake and keep it.

tony Thursday, 24 October 2013 05:29 AM

THATS RIGHT. WE DO ALREADY HAVE CASINOS. FIGHT TO PACK THEM OFF RIGHT NOW

Nimal Thursday, 24 October 2013 02:06 AM

Boru Show!

Nims Wednesday, 23 October 2013 10:14 PM

Hey you guys, It is not your protest for Casinos or a campaign against the Tamils that is required today. Do you know that thousands of Buddhists are been converted by the various churches. Go to remote areas in the country and help those poor people who cannot afford to have one square meal a day.

Cheena Wednesday, 23 October 2013 01:41 PM

Eye Washing and Making the massers look fools.....

portugese Wednesday, 23 October 2013 09:42 AM

Give some money to this fellows & their covers(Monday as)

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 23 October 2013 09:38 AM

Only Talking No Action

citizenJ Wednesday, 23 October 2013 08:18 AM

It is a good stance taken by JHU, I hope they will stick to it and thwart off the efforts of the few administrative officers referred to.

dr ceylon Wednesday, 23 October 2013 08:09 AM

fake protest.if government do it what these fake protesters do ?.resign from cabinet job.dont expect that,because these are fake protesters.

ANTON Wednesday, 23 October 2013 07:44 AM

IF I AGREE WITH YOU , BOTH OF US WILL BECOME LIARS.

Lucky Weeramantry Tuesday, 22 October 2013 11:43 PM

The JHU Will Talk Against The Casino Bill Now, When It's Presented For Voting They Will Be Absent. They Should Vote Against The Bill .

jj Wednesday, 23 October 2013 06:55 AM

Save or Served?

Citizen Wednesday, 23 October 2013 06:54 AM

But don't we already have casinos and aren't we already a Heroin Hub?

silva Wednesday, 23 October 2013 05:55 AM

It's like rabit and turtle story.turtle will carry the rabit when crossing the river if Rabit could not swim to achieve the goal.

Fazel Wednesday, 23 October 2013 05:04 AM

Joking in front of public. but surely there will be more picketing against halaal certificate.

Pat123 Wednesday, 23 October 2013 02:50 AM

What happed to 13

Crazy Coot Wednesday, 23 October 2013 01:10 AM

Have they?

Cobra Wednesday, 23 October 2013 12:13 AM

If only they carried out a similar protest against the unfair and absurd power tariff increase that effected all the citizens in the country I would bless their efforts.

Lucky Weeramantry Tuesday, 22 October 2013 11:57 PM

JHU Sends James Packer PACKING.Great News

Lucky Weeramantry Tuesday, 22 October 2013 11:53 PM

Right Move By JHU. You Have Saved Our Country Of Drugs And Sex. Thank You.

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JHU to continue opposition to Casino gazette

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