The government of Sri Lanka is approving three proposed resorts in the capital Colombo, but without the casinos they wanted.
Among the three projects is Crown Gaming’s proposed $400m Crown Sri Lanka. “Investors asked for permission for casinos, but we did not grant permission and will not allow it in the future either,” Economic Development Minister Basil Ralapaksa said.
However, the Sri Lanka Guardian newspaper says the government, in fact, does intend for the resorts to have casinos, saying it has gazetted legislation permitting them. The government, in turn, says that approving so-called “associated facilities” does not mean casinos.
The other projects are a $600m proposal by John Keells Holdings and a $300m resort by local businessman Dhammika Perera.
