Inside Asian Gaming

December 2013 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 41 It’s with respect to the religious parties that the Rajapaksas know they must tread carefully. The Buddhist clergy has no desire to undercut the president, fearful as they are of a resurgent Tamil separatism, but they are not comfortable either with a gaming industry of the size the Rajapaksas say the economy needs. taxed, and they have forced the country’s liquor stores to close. In like fashion they’ve warned the administration not to get too promiscuous with its casino favors. The government has sought to placate them with assurances that both existing and new casinos will be restricted to designated areas in Colombo and will be open only to foreign passport holders. Crown Chairman James Packer, who can do nothing but watch and wait, has remarked only that he is “hopeful” a bill will make its way to Parliament to allow his project to proceed. “Sri Lanka is a beautiful and unique country,” he has said, “it has overcome a great deal of adversity and is growing strongly. I am confident it has a very bright future.”