The Committee on Public Finance has approved the Bill to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority, paving the way for an independent body to oversee Sri Lanka’s betting and gaming industry.
The approval was granted at the committee meeting held on Wednesday (12) under the acting chairmanship of SLMC leader MP Rauf Hakeem, who stepped in for committee chair Dr Harsha de Silva during his overseas visit.
The Bill, discussed on several occasions by the committee, seeks to standardise betting and gaming establishments, minimise social harm, boost tourism and spur economic growth.
The committee also cleared several fiscal measures, including a resolution under the Customs Ordinance on import duties, an order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, and a regulation under the Finance Act imposing a luxury tax on motor vehicles, all published in April’s extraordinary gazettes.
Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe and MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Dr Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Lakmali Hemachandra, and Nishantha Jayaweera attended the meeting.
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