Harsha says Keheliya bluffing on casino licenses

Monday, 12 May 2014 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Requests Govt. Spokesman to table license photocopies in Parliament

By David Ebert UNP MP Dr. Harsha De Silva yesterday issued a challenge to Government Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, to table in Parliament “at least a photocopy” of one the five existing casino licenses the Minister had claimed earlier that local operators possess.

This was in response to Rambukwella’s statement that the Government will not oppose the setting up of a casino in Packer’s $ 400 million mixed-use resort at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha if it is operated using an existing operating license, of which he claimed there were five being held by locals. “I challenge MP Rambukwella to produce in Parliament at least a photocopy of one of the five licences being held, to show us who they are being held by, the dates of issue, validity periods, and the terms and conditions of those licences,” UNP MP said. He said the recent endorsement for Packer’s casino by the Government represents an about-turn in its stand on the issue. De Silva said several high profile government ministers, including the President, and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, had stated previously that the Government would not allow casinos. The statement by MP Rambukwella comes hot on the heels of news that Packer will be visiting the country once again.