The Committee on Public Finance (COPF), which met under its new Chairman, MP Harsha de Silva, postponed the consideration of the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill for a week until a timeline for establishing a regulatory authority for casinos is worked out.

When the COPF met in Parliament on Wednesday (07), its Chairman pointed out that the establishment of a regulatory authority regarding casinos, proposed under the Bill had been discussed previously.

When the matter was taken up in 2022, the Ministry of Finance agreed to get Cabinet approval for a timeline for this regulatory authority to be established. This was to be done by 31 January, 2023. However, this has not been done. Thus, one week was given to the Ministry of Finance to prepare a timeline to establish the regulatory authority.

MPs Rauf Hakeem, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Duminda Dissanayake, Chandima Weerakkodi, Nimal Lanza, Sumit Udukumbura, (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Kokila Gunawardena, Isuru Dodangoda, Sahan Pradeep Withana, Madhura Withanage and (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara participated in the meeting.