The Sri Lankan government has reported receiving ten applications for casino licenses as part of its efforts to regulate the gambling industry. Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya disclosed that the government has enacted laws pertaining to gambling establishments, with operators charged 500 million rupees ($1.5 million) for a five-year license. In an attempt to discourage local residents, the government is considering raising entry fees to casinos.
Despite issuing licenses to two new casinos, including one in the sacred city of Kandy for Sri Lankans, the move has faced criticism. Kandy MP Lakshman Kiriella has called for refraining from opening gambling establishments in cities with shrines, such as Anuradhapura.
