LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

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By Lahiru Pothmulla

Boost to economy  

Chinthana Tennakoon, 26 years old Colombo University undergraduate said that he did not fully oppose the proposed casino.
“I think there is some kind of importance in establishing a Casino in the country. I see this as a good opportunity to boost tourism. Tourists who are willing to spend large amounts of money do not have enough facilities in their country, so they tend to go to Singapore or Macau. We can lure them to our country by initiating this move,” he said.

The Kurunegala resident said this move would have an affect on the culture of the country.

“Our Country is considered a Buddhist country. And Buddhism does not allow these kinds of immoral activities. But there are already casinos, Race By Race and many more such activities in the country,” he said.

He said the country would not be able to pay back loans obtained from other countries only by the production of agriculture.     
“I think this will produce a great income to the country. But I do not agree with giving a tax holiday because a large amount of money would be lost to our economy,” he said.

The undergraduate said implementing this move with restrictions would be the best. “We shouldn’t always oppose each new move. We can welcome them with restrictions to save our country and its culture,” he added.   

Immoral activity

Namal, from Wellawatte said he opposed Casinos. “I see this as an act of pure gambling,” he said.
He expressed concerns over the destruction of the culture of the country by establishing Casinos.
“A lot of other immoral activities like drug menace and thievery would also increase and spread along with casinos. Therefore I reject the setting up of casinos,” he said.

New trends

Lakshman Fernando, a businessman from Ja-Ela said Casinos would lure rich tourists to the country along with large amounts of wealth.

“Poor wouldn’t even consider entering casinos. Only those who have no idea what to do with their large amounts of money would go to casinos. We, Sri Lankans should go with the latest trends and should be empowered to compete with other countries in possible ways like establishing casinos,” he said.
Mr. Fernando said the Culture of the country should also be changed according to the new trends.

“Every aspect is being globalised now. We are using mobile phones, and computers and we are wearing western attires today,” he said.
He said it was up to individuals to make decision on their participation in casinos.  “If they think it’s bad they can refrain from entering casinos,” he said.




 

An inevstment

Marketing Manager Manjula Bandara from Nugegoda said he did not oppose casinos and said the proposed casinos would lure wealthy foreigners to Sri Lanka.
“Most of the foreigners visiting the country are not large money spenders. We can lure well spending foreign tourists by establishing casinos,” he said.
He said giving a tax holiday was not a bad move because the outcome of the multi entertainment project would be large. “This will be a long term investments” he said.
However he said the project should be implemented with proper rules with restrictions and said the all the casinos should be limited to one zone.
“We can move forward saving both our Culture and Buddhism if this move initiated in a proper manner,” he said.

 

Asking for trouble

A science faculty student, Nalindra Gamage from Matara said Casinos would destroy the Sri Lankan Culture. “There is a connection between most of the violent acts and casinos.  Establishing casinos in the country is like asking for trouble,” she said.    

She said it was not essential to maintain Casinos to develop the tourism in the country.  “We have something that other countries do not possess, it is our culture. Tourists want to experience something new like that. If they want casinos they can go to the casinos in their own countries,” she said.
She said proposed restrictions not to enter Sri Lankans in to Casinos would be not practical.

“I see a risk in establishing casinos in here. Therefore I fully oppose for casinos,” she said.