JHU opposes Gaming Bill

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a coalition member of the ruling alliance, has said the party would vote against the Gaming Levy (Special Provisions) Bill unless the amendments proposed by the party were included.

The JHU has called on the government to include the amendments proposed by the party to the new legislation during the committee stage of the debate when the Bill is taken up in parliament next week.

JHU parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero has told a press conference that while the government hopes to regulate gaming centres in the country through the Bill, it gives legality to such centres as well and hence the JHU would propose amendments to the Bill.  The UNP meanwhile has said it would vote against the Bill in parliament next week as the cash strapped government was desperately trying to increase its tax revenue by passing the Bill.