Gambling den raid: JHU questions government

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today questioned the government as to what happened to the 45 people who were arrested for gambling during a raid at a gambling den near the Eye Hospital and under whose instructions the 23 officials of the Police Crime Division who were in the squad that organised the raid were transferred soon after the raid.
 
JHU Spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe in a press release said that it is surprising that within 48 hours, 23 officials who were in the squad that organised the raid were transferred.
 
“So what is the truth hidden behind this story? Is it an illegal gambling den or a casino? If it is a casino has it got legal permission from the authorities for its operation and who is the owner of this casino? And we would also like to know who is the Defence official providing security to this illegal casino club, whom we believe is also behind these transfers?” Warnasinghe questioned.
 
Speaking further Warnasinghe asked whether legal action were being taken against the 45 arrested persons during last week’s raid and what happened to them while also pointing out how the government and the police is planning to control and maintain law and order once the much talked about ‘Crown Casino’ is established in Sri Lanka, when the authorities are failing to control or take action against the prevailing illegal casinos and gambling spots.  
 
“So how can we be sure whether the authorities will be able to maintain law and order under strict regulations as they claim once James Packer’s ‘Crown Casino’ is established in Sri Lanka in the future, when the authorities are failing to implement law and order against the illegal casinos that are already existing in the country? And if this is the manner in which the officials who raided the illegal casinos are treated, how can we depend on the law in this country?” Warnasinghe asked the authorities. (Jayashika Padmasiri)