The National People’s Power (NPP), now in charge of governing the country, must confront the realities of gambling in Sri Lanka, despite previously opposing it from a moral and public welfare standpoint while in opposition, said NPP General Secretary and MP Nihal Abeysinghe.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Abeysinghe said that while the NPP’s past position was shaped by ethical concerns and the well-being of the people, it now carries the responsibility of managing the current legal and social landscape surrounding gambling.
He emphasised that regulating gambling and establishing a proper legal framework is a core responsibility of any government.
“Whether we like it or not, we cannot shirk this responsibility,” Abeysinghe asserted, adding that the regulatory mechanisms being introduced are meant to bring order to the gambling industry, which is already operating in the country.
He further clarified that the current measures, while perhaps unpalatable to some, are necessary to ensure the proper regulation of gambling in the interest of the public.
Leave a comment