NPP General Secretary Nihal Abeysinghe admits the party’s stance on gambling has shifted since taking office, stressing that regulating the industry is now an unavoidable responsibility of government.
National People’s Power (NPP) General Secretary and Member of Parliament Nihal Abeysinghe acknowledged in Parliament that while in opposition, the party opposed gambling on moral and social grounds, but in government, they must confront the reality of its presence in Sri Lanka.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Abeysinghe stated that it is a fundamental responsibility of any government to regulate existing gambling operations and establish the necessary legal framework.
He further emphasized that whether liked or not, this responsibility cannot be ignored, and therefore, the government has moved forward with programs aimed at controlling and regulating gambling within the country.
Abeysinghe reiterated that the ongoing measures are not about promoting gambling, but about regulating it in a way that ensures accountability and protects the interests of the people. He stressed that this shift is being carried out for the greater good of the nation.
