Sri Lankan religious leaders oppose ‘gaming bill’

(November 13, 2010) The Sri Lankan parliament has passed a controversial bill fully regulating gambling for the first time, a move opposed by some religious leaders and civic activists. With a majority of 80 votes, the Sri Lankan parliament on Wednesday passed the Gaming Special Provisions Bill, which would legalize gambling in designated areas. Government ministers say the bill was approved to improve the country’s tourism industry. The archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal-designate Malcolm Ranjith opposed it saying, “Gaming is against all religious principles.” “We should ensure that such legislation does not go against basic religious values which are very important in this country,” said the prelate who is president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka. Buddhist leaders also expressed similar sentiments. Jathika Hela Urumaya, a major political party of Buddhist monks in parliament known to take a pro-government stand, expressed some unhappiness at the bill but did not vote against it.