Controversial gazette notifications passed

24 April 2014 01:44 pm

One of the three controversial gazette notifications that the opposition claims will legalize casinos was passed in Parliament a short while ago with a majority of 71 votes.

One hundred and thirteen votes were received in favour of the project while 42 were against it and 68 MPs had abstained from voting.

Ven. Aturaliye Ratana Thera was the only government MP who voted against it.

The UNP, TNA and the JVP MPs voted against it.

The notable ministers who were absent when the vote was being taken included Minister Rauff Hakeem,Wimal Weerawansa, Champika Ranawaka and Rishard Bathiudeen. (KB & YP)