Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, I was waiting to hear any Member, especially those who introduced or spoke after the Bill, address key issues. Instead, most time was spent attacking the Opposition and the Chair of the Committee on Public Finance. What is the core issue here?

¶ 02 From a Cabinet decision dated 2025.04.21, I quote the essence: it proposes to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority as an independent regulator with a comprehensive mandate over casino operations including shipboard casinos and online gambling, and specifically mentions operations “on ships and in the Colombo Port City.”

¶ 03 The critical phrase is “on ships and in the Colombo Port City.” Clause 79 (interpretation) and the definitions cover “casino games” and “digital gambling.” On page 55, “gambling” includes betting, wagering, online gambling, casinos, cruise ship casinos, and recreational gambling operations. For years, onshore casinos existed; parties who once opposed casinos are now in government. Ironically, those who opposed casinos are now presiding over such openings, like at John Keells. But the dangerous new element is the authorization of gambling on ships—something unprecedented in our history—and no one from the Government addressed it.

¶ 04 Worse, under this Bill, even a foreign-flag vessel can obtain a permit to conduct gambling within Sri Lankan waters. After enactment, any port—Galle, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Oluvil, Kankesanthurai, or a future Mannar port—could host vessels with Sri Lankan permits operating gambling indefinitely offshore. This has grave national security and geopolitical implications. For instance, a Chinese-flag vessel could anchor at Trincomalee, obtain a permit, and operate. Given regional sensitivities, especially India’s security concerns in the Indian Ocean, this invites serious risk.

¶ 05 The Government claims this will increase tax revenue. But in 2015, an entry levy of USD 100 per person to casinos was introduced—either as an entrance fee or a minimum-bet-based charge. From 2015–2023, not a single casino paid this to the Government. We expected the new Government to recover these arrears before setting up a new Authority. There are 4–5 casinos in the country—why was the USD 100 per entrant not collected for eight years? Meanwhile, taxes were imposed on ordinary people and sectors like IT. In 2023, they reduced the entry levy to USD 50 for Sri Lankan citizens only. Even then, what was collected?

¶ 06 There is also a social risk: Sri Lanka could become known as a South Asian gambling hub, similar to Macau, which faces severe social issues along with its revenue. Are we doing this for someone’s private interests, for another State’s agenda, or for Port City? The “ships” clause seems deliberately hidden. We need answers.

¶ 07 On the recent hartal in the North and East: I thank the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Ceylon Workers’ Congress, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the Hon. Selvam Adaikkalanathan, and the Tamil Progressive Alliance for their support; also the business associations and local councils in those districts.

¶ 08 The hartal was triggered by the killing of a youth in Mullaitivu. We appreciate that the Government held a press briefing with the Police and Army Spokespersons to clarify. However, contradictions remain: Police said the deceased had links with certain Army personnel; the Army Spokesman denied an assault. The legal process must be transparent. Handing a detainee to family at night is irregular—either hand over to Police or take into Army custody within the legal framework. The body was found in a well, raising grave social concerns.

¶ 09 We have consistently requested, even in the Defence Advisory Committee, that where camps occupy schools, public buildings, or needed civilian lands, such premises be released. We never asked to remove every camp, only those obstructing civilian life.

¶ 10 To those claiming the hartal “failed”: ITAK as a single party called for it; about 60–70% of shops were closed until noon across the eight Northern and Eastern districts. If anyone says it failed, I challenge any single party to close even 10 GN divisions in any southern district. Our aim is not to topple the government but to seek redress for legitimate grievances: repeal the PTA, investigate disappearances, release civilian lands held by the military, resolve land issues, and hold Provincial Council elections. If not, bring a new Constitution protecting all citizens’ democratic rights. These were your own manifesto promises—fulfill them.

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Speaker: Hon. Rasamanickam, your time is up now.

¶ 12 Sir, I am winding up now. Thank you.