Casino has become economic strategy of the government– Hadunneththi

FRIDAY, 29 MARCH 2013

There is no dearth for kings in this country. The latest to join the 'royalty' is Casino King who is getting ready to build a 'casino palace' in valuable lands in Colombo says JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunneththi.

Participating in a media conference held in Colombo Mr. Handunneththi said, "Mahinda Rajapaksa regime had as its basis themes such as Mahinda Chinthanaya, 'Mathata Thitha (halt to intoxicants) and an ethical society. However, now the number one casino king of the world is to build a casino palace on a valuable land in Colombo. There is no dearth for kings in this country. James Parker, the casino king about to come to Sri Lanka, is the owner of the biggest casino business in Australia. He earns colossal amounts of money through colossal rackets. The economic strategy of Sri Lanka has now become gambling casino.

The car park opposite Lake House is to be handed over to the casino king to build his casino palace. Siri Sambuddha Viharaya is in very close proximity to this site. When the gambling bill was presented we opposed it. To justify the bill a clause was included in the bill that casinos would not be allowed to exist near religious places. What happens now? Those restrictions are removed and racketeers are given every opportunity to do what they wish. Colombo city is being changed to accompany casino racketeers.

The government should reveal to the masses on what basis the casino racketeers are allowed to invade the country. It should tell the people on what basis the most valuable piece of land in Colombo city is given to casino king. The Parliament has not been informed. Neither has the Public Utilities Commission informed. The government uses its political power to do whatever it wants. The government's intention is to make Sri Lanka a den for international racketeers.

There is an issue as to why those who boast of patriotism, love for the country are dumb regarding this matter. Colombo's casino palace is only a beginning. Government's plan is to have casinos in all the areas in Sri Lanka, encourage people, specially the youth to gamble and fill its coffers.

North Korea ready to strike US bases

TUESDAY, 26 MARCH 2013 

North Korea said today (26th) that it has put its military on combat ready status, with "strategic" rocket units and long-range artillery units ordered to prepare for possible strikes against the U.S. bases in mainland, Hawaii and Guam according to North Korea's state media.

The order issued in a statement from the North Korea’s supreme command came after the U.S. bombers flew sorties threatening the North.

"From this moment, the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army will be putting into combat duty posture No. 1 all field artillery units, including long-range artillery units and strategic rocket units, that will target all enemy objects in the U.S. bases on its mainland, Hawaii and Guam," the Korean Central News Agency said.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the army to destroy and wipe away any enemy who lands on their coast.

The threat is the latest from North Korea against the U.S. and South Korea since the joint military drills by the US and its allies and extension of economic sanctions by the U.N. Security Council. North Korea in response to the ongoing military drills had said it scrapped 1953 armistice that stopped the Korean War.

The U.S. military bases in the Pacific area are in the range of North Korea’s missiles according to foreign media.