James Packer’s Crown Ltd is in talks with a Sri Lankan partner to build a US$350 million hotel and leisure resort in the Indian Ocean island nation.
But, according to a Reuters report, the Sri Lankan government and Crown appeared to be at odds over whether the development would include a casino.
Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Sri Lanka’s investment promotion minister, said the proposed project would be 45% owned by a local entrepreneur he did not identify.
“This is not a casino business and we have not granted any tax concessions which are adverse to the country,” Abeywardena told parliament.
However, a Crown source with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters the company was planning an integrated resort complex, including a casino.
The source said talks were ongoing but no decision had been made.
