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Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Sri Lanka parliament to take up the Gaming Bill today

Sri Lanka parliament is to debate the Gaming Levy (Special Provisions) Bill that will legalize gambling this afternoon in the House.

The Bill which proposes establishing legitimate gambling centers in designated areas of the country is expected to pass in the parliament as the government holds the majority.

The proposed Bill has come under criticism from the main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the government ally monk party.

The UNP says the government is trying to increase its tax revenue through the setting up of gaming centers and setting up these centers may lead to increase prostitution. The UNP has said that it would vote against the Bill in parliament.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Buddhist nationalist party Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a coalition member of the ruling alliance, says the party would vote against the Gaming Levy (Special Provisions) Bill unless the amendments proposed by them were included.

The Bill proposes requiring a license to set up a legalized gambling center and imposing a hefty fine of $ 45,000 and a five-year jail term for violators.

Following the end of the war in May 2009, the government has focused its attention to promote the tourism industry and the proposed legislation on gambling and betting is seen as a measure to attract tourists to the country.

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