Jathika Hela Urumaya, led by Minister Patalie Champika Ranawaka and Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa, expressed strong displeasure with Strategic Development Project Act No 01 which was passed in Parliament with 113 members voting in favour of the act. 

Parliamentarians representing the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna and JHU Minister Patalie Champika Fanawaka were not present in Parliament when the vote was taken. JHU's Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who was present in the house during the vote, chose to vote against the Act.

{module LOLC}

42 members of Parliament voted against the Act stating it would lead to setting up of Casinos in Colombo with tax exemptions. 

The Strategic Development Act created a clear division among ruling party members of Parliament.

At a meeting with newspaper editors this morning, President Mahinda Rajapaksa categorically statedthat the new Act will not result in any new casinos in Sri Lanka.