June 09, Colombo: The first meeting of the Committee on Public Finance for the fourth session of ninth Parliament was held recently under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Harsha de Silva.

The Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill was discussed and consideration of the bill was postponed for a week until a timeline for establishing a regulatory authority for casinos is worked out.

The chairman of the committee pointed out that the establishment of a regulatory authority regarding the casino business was previously discussed.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance has prepared a time frame for this regulatory authority to get cabinet approval by January 31, 2023, he said. But since it has not been done, the committee mentioned that a new time frame is needed and a period of one week will be given to prepare it for the Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, it was decided to meet the Committee on Public Finance in a week to consider the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill.

Also, the approval of the Committee on Public Finance was also given for the regulation under Appropriation Act No. 30 of 2021.

The members of Parliament Rauf Hakeem, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Duminda Dissanayake, Chandima Weerakkody, Nimal Lanza, Sumith Udukumbura, Dr. Major Pradeep Undugoda, Kokila Gunawardena, Isuru Dodangoda, Sahan Pradeep Withana, Madhura Withanage and Prof. Ranjith Bandara participated in the meeting.