Australian Casino Moghul James Packer has confirmed plans to invest 400 million dollars to build a massive casino complex in Sri Lanka, the country’s media reports, even as the Sri Lankan Government consistently deny the investment has anything to do with a gambling resort in the heart of the capital.
Yapa and Paker
Packer told the Australian Securities and Exchange Commission in a statement that he is currently in discussions with the Government in Colombo and joint venture partners on the project. Once constructed, the resort will have 450 rooms, restaurants and gambling spaces.
“I have great confidence in the country’s future and believe as a destination that it is Sri Lanka’s time to shine in Asia,” he said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange.
“A Crown integrated resort would help redefine luxury tourism in Sri Lanka and play a significant role in helping to drive increased international in-bound tourism especially from India and China.”
The Australian businessman told the SEC that Parliament and the Sri Lankan Board of Investment were in the process of considering granting approvals for his project in Colombo.
The Opposition has come out strongly against the ‘Packer deal’ as it is known in Colombo saying the Government was preparing to grant the Australian Casino King 10 year tax breaks while repeatedly denying Mr. Packer was bringing a gambling resort to Colombo.
The Government is attempting to get the project approved in Parliament by calling Packer’s project a mixed development project. Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane has consistently denied that his Government was going to issue any new casino licences to Packer’s joint venture.
UNP MP and Economist Dr. Harsha De Silva who Australian media has dubbed Packer’s harshest critic tweeted a short while ago that Packer had filed with the Austalian SEC that he was setting up Crown Colombo. “(Minister) Laksman Yapa says no licenses will be issued. What is going on?!” de Silva charged.
Ajith / October 19, 2013
We are building Dagoba’s in the North and Casino’s in the South. Buddhists converts into Casinoists. I think Dalada Malihava is an ideal place to build Casino.
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Dude / October 19, 2013
Nice points!
Hey, well, as long as Packer does NOT get any concessions and pays ALL TAXES DUE – let the Sinhalaya modayas, eat, drink and Gamble and have a ball in Rajapassa Neverland..
Sooner or later the North will become another STATE!
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Web / October 20, 2013
Govt should approve more casinos in Hambantota too. It will attract more clients and southern province will be the jewel in the SL crown. Casinos can give jobs to many and poverty will be alliviated in the South. Hambantota will evolve into to Hong kong.
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kris / October 22, 2013
Idiots like you never seen a casino , only heard the name and pissing in pants
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J.Muthu / October 19, 2013
Excellent idea,
Sinhala budhist no need to send their women to middle east. Lazy sinahala budhist men stay at home enjoy arrack and kassippu.
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Banda / October 19, 2013
What’s wrong, housemaids will soon start working as croupiers. My only concern is tax breaks should not have been given for ten years +3. And casinos operators should be compelled to restrict admission for foreign passport holders only, just like in Malaysia.
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Lapatiya / October 20, 2013
Agree with Banda that House Maids can clean Casino Shits while our beautiful Girls can serve Casino clients. Probably Banda’s Daughters, Sisters will be among them.
Also Banda, Don’t Worry about 10 and 13 Years Tax Holidays as we are a smiling nation who is very famous for hospitality and has a proud history of more than 2600 Years.
I don’t think that our Mahanayaka’s will strip off the titles given by them to our Local Casino king such as “Sri Rohana Manaranjana”, “Saddrmadveepa Chakrawarthi” “Keerthi Sri three Sinhaladeeshwara” etc. etc. due this Casino matter. In case, if necessary Gaanu 5 Bebadu Naanasara, Athuraliye Rathana, Omalpe Sobitha, Ellawala Chakrawarthi can Interprit “Parabhawa Suthraya” according to the wishes of our Saddarmadveepa Chakrawarthi. May be they will Introduce “Casino Saranan Gachchami” as 6th sil padaya. Probably he will get another title as “Casino Chakrawarthi”
Banda you are real Dalu Banda.
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Rationalist / October 21, 2013
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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ela kolla / October 19, 2013
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ela kolla / October 19, 2013
[Edited out] Muthu, are you related to Muthuhettigama?
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Sengodan. M / October 19, 2013
More and more casinos, liquor houses and brothels are going to mushroom all over the country!
What do all of you in JHU, BSB, RB et al,the guardian angels of pure Mahayana Buddhism in the country have to say? All are waiting to hear from you!
Sengodan. M
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muslim / October 21, 2013
sengodan
We too are waiting to see the BBS RAVAYA JHU Ranawaka weerawansa and all the sinhala buddhists bigots opinions on the new Srilanka casino kingdom.
No Sengodan there will not be a whimper from these hipocrites,why oppose,Las Vegas has come even closer to them,and there is no need of the wife and children going on holiday to Las Vegas.
BUT THESE HYPOCRITES WILL ATTACK THE HALAL ISSUE.
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Ruwan Gunasekera / October 19, 2013
Go [Edited out] yourself Packer, NOT in my Sri Lanka !
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gamini / October 19, 2013
Ruwan Why Not?
See the opportunities that will be created for the starving masses not only for employment but also starved for entertainment. There will be opportunity for direct employment in Hotels/Casinos for so many thousands in the construction and operation thereafter. Further it will serve another hundred fold for indirect employment as suppliers for the construction and for those men and women, as that MP Geetha Kumarasinghe said, relax and enjoy while you earn. Ofcourse Geetha Kumarasinghe earned votes in that manner to enter Parliament but these poor souls will earn for their bread and butter.
It will not be long before we find the Buddhist Monks patronizing the Casinos and many of them including the BBS kind will earn easy money than what they resort to now, like printing counterfeit, Car sales, Land sales and what not and some of them are termed illegal. If today these Buddhist Priests are found in, Inland Revenue Dept. at Car Sales, In Court Houses, In Brothels, Super Markets, I believe the public would not mind them visiting Casinos.
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gamini / October 19, 2013
I forgot to mention, see the photo where Packer is bending in two, to greet this one time UNPer and present Minister in the MR regime. What will they not offer to such greedy bastards to get the Casinos established here? All these Puritans left the UNP because of RW they say. Imagine if RW is the one in the photo instead, what would these very critics say?
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Gongi / October 19, 2013
Mate, it is not your Sri Lanka nor is it mine. It hasn’t been for quite a while now.
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ruwan / October 20, 2013
I agree, unfortunately !
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / October 19, 2013
Ruwan Gunasekera;
YOU ARE MISTAKEN?.
You cant do any harm, to this, SUDDAHA.
to even touch a hair of PARKER, man.
Now He iS Rajapassasa’s Man.
Jarapassa and clan will protect him,
He will Fund all His Elections And Propagandas.
He will do all Gilmarts to change Jarapassa Black money to go to off shore banks
NARAMAL BABY and other baies will be his pet dogs.
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uuraawatch / October 19, 2013
Eng-Peng Ooi or sometimes Ooi Eng Peng is the name.
Lend Lease is helped politically by Crosby Textor.
Crown is a partner in $6 bn Sydney development but largely a front to expand like in Macau, Singapore or Taiwan.
Bovis Lend Lease I am told started work in Sri Lanka even before Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was chosen to be sent down to help militarily.
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vijith / October 19, 2013
Every liberal, democracies have casinos. Sri Lankan’s are not babies. They are matured enough mentally and culturally to have casinos. Buddhists cannot do gambling so they won’t. Who want to play has the freedom and enjoys it. Rich societies have freedom of choice they are not prisons.
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Goraka / October 19, 2013
Vijith, this is not freedom. This is the freedom of the ass.
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Lapatiya / October 20, 2013
@Vijith, I also agree with you but the problem is why our “3 Sinhalaye Mahaa Bauddha Upasaka”, self claimed protector of pure Sinhala Buddhism in Sri Lanka’s Govt. involving in this Gambling Project?
According to Historian Jackson Anthony our Saddrmadveepa Chakrawathi is related to “Gauthama Buddha”. Buddha was against all kind of Gambling’s and blood relative of Lord Buddha is promoting Gambling’s by lying that no new Licenses issued by his Govt.
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Fathima Fukushima / October 19, 2013
Good.
At last 89,000 Tamil Mahaveer war widows will find more decent work.
Tamil women are fed up of grease devils. They don’t pay. When asked for payment they escape to the army camp!
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Safa / October 19, 2013
Mixed development courtesy MOD / UDA. Filthy Lucre, Wine, Women and Song. Hub of Vice and Den of Sin.
Tourist can experience sin and then obtain pin by visiting temples and historical sites. Two in one. Locals can Pin on Oneday and Sin on Otherdays.
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Diogenes / October 19, 2013
This Yaapa bugger is a traitor and liar. Dispatch him to Nibbana. Earlier the better!Come on BBs!
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abhaya / October 19, 2013
So what . what’s the big deal. The poor Tamil terrorist thugs started caring about sri Lankan morals .. Go and see hambanthota pigs it will soon be the NEW Singapore of south Asia.
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Sumith / October 19, 2013
way to go.!
the sinahala saying goes ‘ballao marala hari salli hamba koaranna one’.
the translation – If you can earn even killing the dogs, do it.
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Afzal / October 19, 2013
Mr. Paker knows exactly how to get the job done in Sri Lanka. Just look at the picture,Him being a tall man he has bend so far enough to come to same level as Mr. Yapa. For Mr. Yapa this is a of immense pleasure to have a one of the wealthiest in the world bending in front of him. From Mr. Paker’s point of view it’s a one time job. Till you get your work done.
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srilal / October 19, 2013
yes you are right , Packer guy is not in SL for creation of jobs , he is in SL for only one reason , he wants his investment to be 10 folds in no time , he would not give rats a… about SL culture , values or religion! remember our greatest patriot Thunmulle Google Mudianselage Modawansa crying out loud farce ” selling Sigiriya ” by Ranil , where is that con artist ? may be hiding !
James Packer & kritish are two sides of the same coin , both knows how to exploit the situation for their own gain , only time will tell !
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jayasuriya / October 19, 2013
I think Sri Lanka needs mors casinos – it is key to develop the country.
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ruwan / October 19, 2013
Jayasuriya the GENIUS speaks ! Just like the ‘other genius’ Jayasuriya !
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Vichara / October 19, 2013
Where does Packer say that he is building a CASINO complex in Sri Lanka?
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M.I. Mohamed Ansar / October 19, 2013
Where are the saviors of Buddhism – BBS? Are they sleeping? What is their stance on the casino issue? Shame on the Buddhists. A Buddhist Minister has signed the deal. It’s time Sri Lanka took action to stop the country turning into another Las Vegas. MIMA
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justice / October 20, 2013
Where are the monks?
Why are they not protesting?
This is totally against buddhist values.
This is only Packer’s first business venture.
Many will follow.
Wonder how much the Ten Percent was.
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Abhaya Premawardena / October 20, 2013
[Edited out] . havent you seen the all the betting places and the turf accountants that already exist . why are you only against packer ?
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srilal / October 21, 2013
Abhaya ,
in this forum every one is fully aware how dumb and deaf you and your ilk as regime sponsored stooges are, nevertheless i ‘m compelled to response to your ridiculous counter argument , how can this proposed Mega casino business compares to Betting centers in SL ?
Let me ask you , Have you ever been to any of Packers casinos before ? do you have any idea what sort of business taking place in side ? do you know how many suicides taking place in side and out side complexes? do you know how many big time drug dealers doing business there ? do you know how lucrative prostitution trade inside the complex , do you know how rampant promoting gays, lesbians, Transvestites, transsexuals prostitution in side ? have you ever thought about negative potential social /cultural ramification to the SL as a society ?
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Rozanna / October 20, 2013
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Teddy Boy / October 20, 2013
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Fathima Fukushima / October 20, 2013
This GIANT casino is coming up just 500 meters from Colombo Zahira College and the Maradana mosque.
Call to prayers will be replaced by casino sound in Maradana.
And just over looking the captain gardens kovill.
BBS should leave it to the Tamilians and Muslims who will be most affected.
Welcome Packer to the Talibanistan of Colombo.
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Patriot / October 21, 2013
Remember! Thaha was a Muslim and at one time the biggest bookie in Sri Lanka. So, there is no reason why Muslims will not be inclined to do the roulette, blackJack or Buckeret. These casinos in no way can be compared to the the bookies in the high street. Sooner the dies started to roll all the robber barons here will creep into the den unless of cause the government ban Sri Lankans entering them just like malays have been banned in Malaysia. I doubt we ever would do that.
Islam may have banned gambling for Muhammadans. But I’ve seen many an Arabs from oil rich countries going to Playboy and Park Lane casinos in London in the 80s with their English girlfriends surrounded by both English and Arab bodyguards to bust loads of money.
Packer might be targeting the Arabs of next level down to his casinos in Colombo. The question is, will pimps here train our women or import Russian whores to escort the Arabs, Chinese, Indians, Maldivians and what not but AID infested punters? Whatever it is, I am positive Packer is ready with his bags to rush out all that spoils to Switzerland daily.
What do we get? Yapa must tell us.
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Web / October 20, 2013
Govt should approve more casinos in Hambantota. It will attract more clients and southern province will be the jewel in the SL crown.
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Haaratha Aseeyuh / October 21, 2013
The cat is out of the bag. In today’s Sri Lanka newspapers there
is a full page supplement today. It says betting and gaming will
be available in Kerry Packer’s complex. The ad is inserted by
the casino company in Australia.
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jansee / October 21, 2013
Now we know why the Australian Govt is supporting SL’s Commonwealth to the hilt. Anyway, there is a good in this, too, as this (gambling dens) pose a direct challenge to the “Buddhist country” tag. Isn’t Champika Ranawake going to make any noise? And where is the Buddhist Sinhala custodian, Wimal Weerawansa?
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R.Dias / October 21, 2013
The Casino Business is a business a Country should accept…Govt should plan to implement…and a Society should embrace ..once all have become self sufficient in at least in 70% of the wants and needs. Look at Singapore….it began developing it’s economy at the same time Sri Lanka switched to open market policy 35 years ago. Study the comparative statistics given below..an eye opener…
Geography
Sing. 760 sq km ..SL 65,600 sq km
Sing ..pop 5.4mn…SL pop 20.28 mn
Sing ..Agri 0% ..Ind 26.6% ..Service 73.4%
SL …Agri 12.8% ..Ind 29.2% ..Service 58%
Sing. Energy 100% Coal ..Power Gen.41,137 bn kwh
GDP 1980
Sing – US$ 25.0 bn… SL -US $ 4.3 bn
Sing – Per Cap US$ 4,913.0..SL US$ 273.0
GDP 2012
Sing -US$ 319.0 bn ….SL US$ 64.0 bn
Sing – per cap US$ 52,700.0…SL US$ 2.870
Exchange..
US$ in 1980 – S$ 2.14 …SL Rs. 16.53
US$ .in 2013 – S$ 1.23… SL Rs. 135.00
( see the reality )
Singapore took 28 years to introduce the Gaming Industry .. in 2007 when they introduced ..they possessed a well educated Society who were reluctantly ready to embrace..the Country is well equipped to face the realities of the Industry..
Who are we and what do we have..? Our whole society is ill educated…ill equipped.. We are blindly just running behind the ” MONEY ILLUSION ” destroying a Country..its Culture…traditions..
It is our Leaders wish ..yearn with the new found freedom ..to overtake the richest Countries in the World….because it is ONLY our Leaders who are rich according to Singapore standards ..As a result they naturally dream of such dreams and borrowed at high Cost Billions of Dollars from China..for Highways..Port..Air port..which are “white Elephants..” now to repay those loans there is no money..so the only way is to move into GAMBLING….the saga of a poverty stricken Families of Sri Lanka..prostituting the family..
99.99% of the country cannot dream of the luxury of having 3 square meals a day… 45% live on US $ 2.0 a day… Hospitals lack medicine.. people have no access to Clean drinking water…Chronic Kidney Disease…poor Education..Law & Order..THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS IN A MESS..
when a person spends US$ 1,000 in a Casino ..the cost to the Casino will be be in the region of US $ 50 – 70.or 200.0 max..and 99% will eventually lose all they gamble …due to Tax Holidays granted by our Rich Regime with the idling resources at the Central Bank …the earnings will be siphoned out of the Country while leaving the ever depreciating infrastructure to us…what a tragedy..
Not even 0.01% of the population can participate just to bust up thousands of Rupees for night to please the craving brain…but it will destroy the whole Country…This Industry will suck all the resources making people to pay on behalf of them..already there are many Hotels…Industries..Condominiums in Colombo.. and out skirts..enjoy Free Electricity..!!! so the COL will sky rocket…
….king is Mad..HE IS GAMBLING THE ENTIRE NATION.
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