PFC wants Port City to comply with existing laws when setting up offshore casinos

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

The Public Finance Committee (PFC) has moved towards preventing Colombo Port City to prepare new legislation pertaining to the casinos within the offshore city which is being set up on reclaimed land from the sea.

Public Service Commission Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament that the committee had informed the authorities of Port City that it has to abide by the existing laws pertaining to casinos. “The Finance Committee was informed by the authorities of Port City that they were in the process of preparing new laws pertaining to casinos that are to be set up with the offshore city and we have informed them that these casinos should come under the existing laws pertaining to casinos and gambling. Also, we have informed them that there should not be separate laws for casinos and gambling,” Dr. de Silva said.

“However the Port City will be welcomed to propose amendments to the existing laws.” He added.