One out of three controversial gazette notifications tabled under the strategic development project act that opposition parties claims as will legalize casinos here was passed this evening at parliament with a majority of 71 votes. the controversial gazette notification was passed amidst heavy protests of main opposition United National Party(UNP) as MP’s of the party were protested against the notification in front of Parliament.
During the voting 113 MP’s were voted in favor of the Act while 42 including Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero who is in the government bench were voted against the act.68 MP’s including MP’s of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress have abstained from voting.UNP,JVP and TNA MP’s were voted against the act.Ministers Champika Ranawaka,Wimal Weerawansha ,Rauff Hakeem and Rishard Badurdeen were the notable absentees when the vote has taken place.