5 August 2023 12:00 am Views - 661
By Yohan Perera
The Lotus Tower, an iconic emblem gracing Colombo’s skyline, is on the brink of a transformative endeavour as plans unfold for the establishment of a casino, a minister said.
The initiative, spearheaded by State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage, hinges on the imminent introduction of legislative measures to institute a specialized regulatory framework for the burgeoning casino sector.
Minister Gamage unveiled the strategic trajectory, affirming, “A stream of enthusiastic investors has expressed ardent interest in becoming part of this casino enterprise.” The much-anticipated unveiling of the casino at Lotus Tower awaits the finalization of the regulatory apparatus, an essential prerequisite that the government aims to accomplish by September.
The momentum behind the regulatory drive gained substantial traction during a recent assembly of the Public Finance Committee, wherein the commitment to establish a dedicated regulatory authority for casinos was steadfastly reinforced. This calculated move is underpinned by the dual purpose of invigorating Sri Lanka’s economic coffers through optimized tax collection from the casino landscape.