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"The job is okay ... isn't it?"The Australian multi-millionaire James Packer who is to open up a grand-scale casino project met the Minister of Investment promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena last Thursday and discussed future procedures.
Sri Lanka becoming a hub of casino gambling attracted criticism from the Asgiri Maha Nayaka thero as well as Buddhist organisations.
The agreement to be finalised had been postponed because James Packer was not very clear on the plan and what he had in mind was to build a casino centre costing Rs. 350 million together with a hotel consisting of 400 rooms along D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha.
Whatever it is, in order to settle the complications he faced; a few days before his tour of Sri Lanka , the2008 No. 14 Development Project Act which contained tax concessions for casino-hotel projects was presented to the parliament in a rush.
It was also reported that Mr. Alex Lowell, Chairman of Union Bank is playing a significant role in this investment of James Packer's Crown Investment in Sri Lanka.
It had been announced by the government through a special gazette notice that Lake Leisure Holdings belonging to Mr. Ravi Wijeratna is to be established on a combined basis a suggested entertainment zone and that tax concessions would be offered for a period of 10 years which also would apply to new projects of John Keels.
As such, this building complex would be erected within 4 years in the land of about 2 acres opposite Lake House. This land has been valued by the government assessor as Rs. 2785 million for a tax value of 50 years as reported. It is also understood that it would be possible to provide 2600 direct job opportunities. James Packer's intentions are not to make Sri Lanka casino customers by establishing this complex, but to attract Asian and Middle East casino enthusiasts and multi-milionaires to Sri Lanka. Whatever it is, Sri Lanka would be deriving a large income from this venture.
When the Gambling Act was debated in parliament a few months ago, it is reported that several monks representing the parliament had kept away.
This happens to be the third occasion when Packer had arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss matter regarding this venture. He had also told the Minister that he would once again be present in the country during the Commonwealth Leaders' Conference.