Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe revealed that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) opposed casinos in the past due to secret deals made between political families and foreign tycoons like James Packer. Now, under the new Casino Regulation Act, locals are largely restricted while foreign tourists are encouraged to play in mega-resorts like the City of Dreams in Colombo. The government’s goal is to boost foreign exchange while curbing local gambling addiction, but the law still allows wealthy locals to enter.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, has clarified the JVP’s historic opposition to casino ventures, stating it was primarily due to questionable deals made between certain political families and international investors like James Packer. These deals allegedly attempted to start casino operations without any legal framework, raising red flags about transparency and favoritism.
Speaking to the media, Prof. Ranasinghe emphasized that the new Casino Regulation Act is a key milestone, designed specifically to prevent Sri Lankan citizens from becoming addicted to gambling. He noted that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had no issue with casinos in principle but strongly objected to the absence of regulation and the secret agreements that offered special privileges to foreign casino moguls.
Under the new legislation, most local players are barred from accessing casinos, while foreign tourists are openly encouraged to visit Colombo’s newly developed gaming hubs, such as the City of Dreams. The Deputy Minister stated that the government’s objective is to position Colombo as a world-class tourist destination, capitalizing on casino tourism to bring in foreign exchange and support economic growth.
However, he acknowledged that the law does not prohibit entry to wealthy Sri Lankans who can afford it, stating, “We opened the casino business after introducing a bill to prevent local people from becoming addicted. But it does not impose any restrictions on wealthy local people who can afford it.”
The move is seen as part of a larger strategy to balance tourism development, foreign investment, and social protection while distancing the current administration from past controversies tied to unregulated casino projects.
