Sri Lankans demand govt thwart Packer casino plans

Hundreds of members of Sri Lankan opposition parties have marched through Colombo, demanding that the government stop Australian gaming tycoon James Packer from building casino-resorts in the country, Reuters reports. The news agency says the protest march coincided with the beginning of a debate in parliament about whether to approve projects by Mr Packer’s Crown Resorts Ltd worth more than US$1.3 billion (MOP10.38 billion). The government is in favour of the projects, but religious leaders, opposition parties and some members of the governing coalition are against. Mr Packer is co-chairman of Macau casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.