Chief Government Whip and Urban Development Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga, dismissed allegations of plans to establish a casino at the Galle Face 'Aragalaya site,' where the 'GotaGoGama' agitation recently took place.
Ranatunga clarified that the government had not made any decisions regarding the allocation of the 'Aragalaya site' for casino development, refuting claims made by NPP MP Vijitha Herath.
According to the Minister, Barl Investment Pvt. Ltd. had submitted a proposal for a mixed investment project at Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 03. An MoU was signed between the government and the investor on February 16, 2024.
Ranatunga stated that the investor had paid a fee of USD 10,000 in rupees to the Urban Development Authority (UDA). However, he emphasized that while steps were being taken to assess the value of the land, the proposed investment project had not received approval yet.
The Minister's statement aimed to quash speculation and concerns regarding the potential establishment of a casino at the Galle Face 'Aragalaya site,' reaffirming the government's stance on the matter.
