By Colin Kruger
James Packer’s Crown has signed up Australian Cricket captain, Michael Clarke, as part of its campaign to build a $400 million casino resort in cricket-mad Sri Lanka.
Mr Clarke has agreed to work closely with Crown on the education and training aspects of the proposed project, if it is successful.
'Mentor and role model' ... Michael Clarke will support Crown Sri Lanka's employment programs.Credit: Getty
Crown said, Mr Clarke will support its employment programs as a mentor and role model and make visits to the country in his role as the Crown Sri Lanka education ambassador to support job seekers and Crown trainees.
If it goes ahead, the $400 million venture, branded "Crown Sri Lanka" will be situated on Beira Lake in the heart of the Colombo resort district. It will include 450 rooms and suites, and mirror Crown's developments in Australia with a combination of fine dining and entertainment options.
“A proposed Crown resort would help redefine luxury tourism in Sri Lanka and play a significant role in helping to drive increased international in-bound tourism, especially from the emerging middle classes in India and China,’’ said Crown Resorts chairman James Packer.
Crown said that both the Sri Lankan Parliament and the Sri Lankan Board of Investment are in the process of considering whether it is appropriate to grant investment approvals for the project.
It is understood legislation is expected to go before the Sri Lankan parliament later this month to grant the tax concessions that are a condition of Mr Packer's investment.
The company said the project was also subject to final agreement between the potential joint venture parties and receipt of a number of other approvals.
Crown said it will provide further details regarding this proposed joint venture project if a final agreement is reached and the necessary approvals are obtained.