Packer's project approved

25 April 2014 02:23 pm - 49 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The two gazette notifications on mega projects by Australia’s business tycoon James Packer and JKH Waterfronts were passed in Parliament with a majority of 65 and 68 votes respectively this evening while Government ally JHU voted against both projects.

The gazette notifications of James Packer received 109 votes in favour and 44 against while the gazette notifications of JKH Waterfronts received 112 votes in favour and 44 against.

The JHU MPs Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and Minister Champika Ranawaka voted against the two gazette notifications.

The SLMC, Wimal Weerawansa’s JNP and Rishard Bathiudeen were absent at the time of voting.

Despite accusations by the opposition about cultural and social implications, the government stressed the need to develop Integrated Tourism Resorts in Sri Lanka to attract Chinese tourists in particular.

Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane said Chinese tourists undertook the highest number of foreign travel for tourism purposes and therefore Sri Lanka should be able to attract them in larger numbers.

He said the Chinese spent as much as US $130 billion last year.

“In China, only five per cent of the people hold passports. Even with such a small percentage of the total population, Chinese travel abroad as tourists. They are also the highest-spending tourists. A Chinese tourist spends an average of US$1230,” he said.

The minister hailed John Keells Company for its diverse investments making a great contribution to the economy.
He said Sri Lanka had also been able to attract a key Australian investor.

“This investor has described Sri Lanka the most attractive place for investment in the region,” he said.(KB & YP)

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Comments - 49

Paula Jayasuriya Saturday, 26 April 2014 05:53 AM

Yes where are you?

Perera Saturday, 26 April 2014 03:28 AM

SLMC, Wimal and Rishad does not have back born to vote against as done JHU.

Whatever said & done JHU showed their protest, but I am not sure whether it is a planned one for elections.

wasantha de silva Saturday, 26 April 2014 03:54 AM

well done Champika....I may not agree with you always ideologically but you have shown that you are the only man (among the lay) in the government.
Our respect for Ven Ratana Thera for opposing both gazettes.

Wasantha

lakshman de silva Saturday, 26 April 2014 04:02 AM

Finally.... some hope...

Thank you very much for your bold decision Champika...we are proud of our Maha Kalu Sinhalaya

If you leave govt now they will destroy you completely...and there's nobody strong in opposition to protect you...so its still prudent to wait in govt and cross over later

Ven Ratana Thera oba wahanseta apage namaskaaraya

Hope this JHU decision will motivate other disgruntled ministers in government who had been chickening out all these days to come forward and register their protest against govt's stupid projects....

Lakshman

nadil Saturday, 26 April 2014 04:05 AM

Well done Champika

Ven Ratana Thera oba wahanseta bohoma pin

Jude Fernando Saturday, 26 April 2014 04:09 AM

Well done!

Kanishkzzz Saturday, 26 April 2014 04:23 AM

Expecting more and more from you. Colombo would be looking beautiful with tallest buildings and modern hotels. Sri Lankans are already wealthier in south Asian region. we have enough money to live happily. that you can see through election results. always above 60% voting for you. and the truth is you have made even the poor people to become rich. So don't think about us. Keep going.. We are with you.

Ravi Saturday, 26 April 2014 04:26 AM

Buddhism Vs Casinoism !!!

irvin br Saturday, 26 April 2014 10:24 AM

Finaly paker could win but reasult may effect badly for sri lanken culture and youger generation. via DM Android App

namal Saturday, 26 April 2014 04:59 AM

Thank you JHU....

Kuruppu Saturday, 26 April 2014 05:01 AM

Next legalized prostitution all over the country?

Ceylonese Saturday, 26 April 2014 10:40 AM

Some sri lankans worry about forign milioniors spending money on casino But never protest against race bookies which suck poor people's money at each corner of the country.
What a shameful nation. via DM Android App

Sam Saturday, 26 April 2014 11:10 AM

I don't think the NUMBER of Casinos will change. One or two might move into these so called hotels. via DM Android App

ANTON Saturday, 26 April 2014 03:24 AM

THEY ARE MAKING DICE FOR THE CASINO GAMES..........

Packeer Saturday, 26 April 2014 01:15 PM

Dhen apita casino enawa. Casino eke apita beemath dhenawa. Ehidhi apita kuduth purudukaranawa. In passey ganikawan enawa. Ethakota joliye innawa. Merunayin pasu api apayata yanawa. Ethakan api....................Jayawewa. via DM iPad app

been Saturday, 26 April 2014 01:25 PM

need to get some cash.....to play..ha ha ha via DM Android App

mack Saturday, 26 April 2014 02:25 PM

what about those casinos operating at the moment via DM Android App

nanda Saturday, 26 April 2014 11:19 AM

Minister Yapa Abeywardena ! Please resign from the post you hold in Amarapura Nikaya Dayaka Sabha. Shame....You are not a real Buddhist...

Gal Sara Saturday, 26 April 2014 11:29 AM

pin nevey katu

Govt Supporter Saturday, 26 April 2014 06:14 PM

Govt supporters don't worry. If all these leads to unpopularity, we have extremist groups to create violence in the country like in 83

Sam Saturday, 26 April 2014 07:24 PM

Yeah what about the ones that already exist? Are those behind the drug problem & prostitution in SL? Really?? via DM Android App

JJ Saturday, 26 April 2014 07:17 PM

MR, please ignore the Taliban of SL. Progress is always hindered by the so called religious zealots. Let's emulate Hong Kong and Singapore. Let's also make Jaffna into a Las Vegas so we can harvest tourist from TN who are oppressed by being a dry state. It will provide great opportunities for jobs in the north. Please keep separation of religion and state.

hafeez Sunday, 27 April 2014 12:49 AM

future of Sri Lanka is not looking bright for the next generation values culture all going to go for a six via DM Android App

AsankA Thennakoon Sunday, 27 April 2014 01:02 AM

Actually I am 100% with the idea that prostitution should be legalized. It has been legalized for over entire history of all human tribes and has given it way for cries of political and religious extremists.

Even now it does happen in every corner illegally as there is a real requirement for it.

However, Casinos should be fine too, but there should not be tax exceptions.

kith udugama Sunday, 27 April 2014 06:01 AM

If you don't want Casinos go and play Wala Salli.,Booruwa or asking hitting.,

ad Friday, 25 April 2014 07:03 PM

If this is a Casino bill.. All absent muslim ministers should answer in day of Judgement. They must Vote against this bill. Absent also equal to supporting this bill..

kay parker Friday, 25 April 2014 02:57 PM

Glad we can have " Sex in the City " now!!!

jayasekara Friday, 25 April 2014 03:15 PM

So only 109 voted with the rulers things are changing

Ryan Friday, 25 April 2014 03:46 PM

thumbs up, move forward

nl Friday, 25 April 2014 09:21 PM

packer is a picker via DM Android App

roshani Friday, 25 April 2014 09:22 PM

Sad via DM iPad app

Aris Friday, 25 April 2014 04:23 PM

Then can we play casino.we need it.

Renu Friday, 25 April 2014 04:27 PM

Is the Opposition. Buddhist Community, Muslims & the Hindus going to allow this to happen or take Yapa to task

kith udugama Friday, 25 April 2014 04:38 PM

Go ahead Machan 111

FRANNY Friday, 25 April 2014 05:45 PM

SRI LANKANS WAKE UP AND SAVE OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FUTURE GENERATION FROM THIS HELL ON EATH, WHERE ALL RELIGOUS, CULTURAL VALUES HAVE GONE.

old citizen Friday, 25 April 2014 06:11 PM

Future generation will curse those who voted to ruin this country.

Dimuthu Heendeniya Friday, 25 April 2014 11:55 PM

No civilized government has allowed casinos in its commercial capital . Very soon Colombo will become another Pattaya .

Malinda Friday, 25 April 2014 08:20 PM

BBS..... where are you????? via DM Android App

Mohamed Azmi Friday, 25 April 2014 07:59 PM

good movie for tourism & economics strategy

Good Citizen Friday, 25 April 2014 11:29 PM

SL ignores the limited resources we have when it comes to Mega projects and Hotels.

Public Saturday, 26 April 2014 06:03 AM

Government thinks "let the Public go to hell", if politicians and their families could prosper that is more than enough. MR and brothers are answerable to the younger and unborn generations.

Public Saturday, 26 April 2014 06:35 AM

Earlier we Public were dead against the Casino, but when religious leaders are in favour, we Public thought no alternatives but Casino could be as our future religion.

C.K.Lankaputhra Saturday, 26 April 2014 01:10 AM

According to G.L.P. Theorem, the government got much more votes.

Lankan Saturday, 26 April 2014 01:34 AM

SLMC giving green light for save the SLMC's Leaders port folio of minister. he is a puppet.

Cobra Saturday, 26 April 2014 01:54 AM

With so many gutless 'yes' men in Parliament it was inevitable. Hats off to those who voted against and thumbs down to those who absented themselves for nothing but survival. JHU you will have gained more respect by your move and rightly so!

ANTON Saturday, 26 April 2014 02:03 AM

WHY SHOULD I BLAME ANYONE, THESE DAYS I AM PRACTICING HOW TO THROW THE DICE CORRECTLY, MY WIFE GIVES HER FULLEST SUPPORT.

Paackeer Saturday, 26 April 2014 02:13 AM

In the meantime, ban casino and any form of prostitution within the country in accordance with Buddhist principle. Then there wont be any issue.

Nihal Amarasekera Saturday, 26 April 2014 02:49 AM

No stopping this caravan; for good or bad. In real terms Good, Bad & Ugly to the core.

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 26 April 2014 02:49 AM

The general public thinks that is the end of UPFA.

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Packer's project approved

Comments - 49

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