Prominent Sri Lankan businessman Ravi Wijeratne who was planning to set up a hotel complex opposite Lake House in Colombo in collaboration with Australian businessman James Packer told www.adaderanabiz.lk that he was planning to continue this project in collaboration with another investor.

He added that future discussions would be held on this issue and that he has already paid the government for the land opposite Lake House where this project is to be implemented.

Ravi Wijeratne also added that this project would go ahead without a casino since Colombo needs more hotels with luxury facilities to meet the fast developing tourism industry.

James Packer pulled out of this hotel project recently after the new government refusing to provide concessions to the casino business under the Strategic Projects Development Act.

“The construction of this hotel project will not be stopped. There are future plans to continue with this project with a new investor,” said Ravi Wijeratne.

The new government imposed a massive tax of Rs. 01 billion on each casino license through its interim budget and proposed to collect a total of Rs. 05 billion through this.