Govt. blocks Karu’s anti casino bill

The Government yesterday prevented United National Party (UNP) MP Karu Jayasuriya from presenting a Bill that prohibited the operation of casinos and other gaming activities under the strategic development projects.

Soon after the question time, Mr. Jayasuriya moved the motion to present this Bill which is in the form of an amendment to the Strategic Development Projects Act. It was seconded by his colleague Dr. Harsha de Silva.

However, House Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government was opposed to this motion asking for the presentation of the Bill and later voted out.
The private member’s Bill by Mr. Jayasuriya sought to incorporate a new clause to the original Act, banning casino and other gaming activities.

It says, “Parliament shall not approve any project which will include the operation of casinos and other gaming activities by whatever name or description or the leasing out of the space for such activities.

The Bill with retrospective effect bans such activities even under the strategic development projects already approved by Parliament.    

Later, Mr. Jayasuriya told a news conference that gaming was taboo according to the teachings of all major religions.

“The establishment of gaming centres is associated with other immoral activities such as prostitution. It is a universal reality accepted from the time of the Buddha. Out cultural values do not condone gaming,” he said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)