Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Hector Appuhamy yesterday (9) demanded clarity from the government on whether Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves will be tapped to pay Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is expected to visit the country to inaugurate a new casino.

Speaking in Parliament, Appuhamy criticised the National People’s Power (NPP), pointing out what he called a sharp contrast between their current actions and previous stances. “The NPP, which once opposed casinos and preached ethics from the opposition benches, is now rolling out the red carpet for Shah Rukh Khan to open a casino,” he said.

The MP pressed the government for transparency on financial arrangements related to the actor’s visit. “How will they find the dollars to pay him? Will they dip into the country’s reserves?” he asked.

He further alleged that the NPP, now in power, appears to be endorsing the casino industry to boost state revenue, despite having campaigned against such ventures in the past.