Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

Profession: Business Management Consultant

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 89 #54 of 225·#25 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

89 speeches

23 July 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. P.T. Jayawardena of Angampitiya Road, Kotte, was presented and accepted in Parliament. Papers: Additional Reports Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Industrial Development Board and a dedicated Ministry unit handle scrap supply, but the IDB lacks capacity to procure and process enough scrap to meet demand. He noted that government institutions have been directed to provide scrap to the IDB, though practical difficulties remain, and said the immediate approach is to improve open-market availability to help reduce prices. Oral Questions - First Round InfrastructureEmployment Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry had identified new metal-based export categories allegedly used to bypass existing HS code restrictions, including items described as shoe components, flower vases or ornaments. He stated that additional HS codes were proposed to the Ministry of Finance in February, referred to the Attorney-General’s Department in March, and followed up on 1 July, with approval expected within about a month. He added that the Ministry, Customs and the Industrial Development Board would coordinate notices, checks and verification of value addition before such exports are permitted. Oral Questions - First Round InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s use of import and export regulations, including salt imports, as a short-term price-stabilization measure while domestic production capacity is expanded through land, technology, and state intervention. He argued that the Government remains within the IMF-backed stabilization framework and cited improved macroeconomic indicators, while outlining policy work on cross-border e-commerce, VAT on foreign digital services, and environmental law reform. He also rejected allegations regarding high-cost “plug base” procurement, stating it related to industrial equipment for digital ID infrastructure procured under specified technical standards. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Public FinanceAgricultureEmployment Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 as a framework for fiscal discipline, transparency, and economic stabilization under the IMF programme. He argued that the Government has maintained the IMF framework, completed debt restructuring, enacted financial governance reforms, and presented a Budget balancing expenditure control with public and development needs. He attributed the economic crisis to long-term fiscal mismanagement, weak revenue collection, corruption, and high-cost borrowing under previous administrations, and said the Government would broaden the tax base, strengthen anti-corruption enforcement, and pursue gradual growth from about 3.2–3.5 per cent upward. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe supported the Personal Data Protection amendments, arguing that they are necessary to protect citizens’ personal data and to enable Sri Lanka’s participation in the digital economy. He said the Bill clarifies definitions, strengthens the role of the Data Protection Authority, provides recourse for misuse or breaches by private, state, or foreign entities, and supports cross-border data exchange and interoperability. He also emphasized the need for institutional compliance, public awareness, and future cybersecurity legislation, linking digitalization to greater transparency, efficiency, and oversight in public administration. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceInfrastructureJustice & Human Rights Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that the Government is planning a major development programme for the North and East, involving the University of Jaffna, a private IT university in Jaffna, Provincial Councils, and Local Authorities. He said roadmaps have been prepared to start export-oriented industries, particularly in agricultural and fisheries value addition, and noted that current GDP calculations may not fully reflect production from the North that is exported through the South. Adjournment Motion: Empowerment of Small and Medium Exporters in Northern Province InfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionAgriculture Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe argued that post-war development, accountability, compensation, and non-recurrence measures in the North and East had not been adequately implemented by previous administrations. He said the Government is initiating export processing zones in Mankulam, KKS, and Paranthan, expanding Export Development Board services, and identifying 300 small and medium-scale exporters for support within five months. He also outlined allocations for SME development in the North and East, the need for air connectivity to support exports, and fisheries-sector interventions including facilities for multi-day boats, sea cucumber aquaculture, lobster farming, and seaweed cultivation. Adjournment Motion: Empowerment of Small and Medium Exporters in Northern Province InfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEmployment Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe supported continued development of rooftop solar while arguing that tariff returns should be adjusted fairly in line with the fall in interest rates and capital costs. He said individuals may install rooftop solar but should not monopolize transformer capacity at the expense of neighbours, and stated that the Government aims to reach 70 per cent renewable generation by 2030 through rooftop, ground-mounted solar and wind while reducing electricity costs. He invited the Opposition to assist in refining the policy framework. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government’s renewable energy policy aims to reduce electricity unit costs from about USD 0.13 to USD 0.08 by expanding solar and wind to 70 per cent, while not discouraging rooftop solar. He stated that the Industry Ministry is supporting rooftop solar through “E-Friends” loans, advancing battery storage policy, and seeking to localize manufacturing of panels, cables and inputs. He argued that past grid-planning failures created current constraints, defended tariff-setting as formula-based and challengeable, and said policies such as “Net Plus Plus” must be managed fairly to avoid overloading transformers and restricting access for other users. He also cited ongoing ground-mounted solar projects, SPPA approvals, and Indian-assisted solar provision to religious institutions as part of the broader renewable strategy. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe addressed the VAT (Amendment) Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka should improve VAT collection efficiency rather than raise rates, by expanding registration, reducing evasion, plugging leakages, introducing VAT on foreign digital services, and implementing digital systems such as POS reporting. He said SVAT changes had been deferred to October to address exporter concerns through faster digital refunds, and described SME debt relief measures, concessional credit lines, credit guarantees, and ongoing oversight to support business revival. He also stated that Sri Lanka should negotiate rather than retaliate over new U.S. tariffs, pursue trade diversification, reduce public spending waste, and use recent legal reforms to strengthen Inland Revenue enforcement and scrutiny of politically connected assets. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) EmploymentForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Budget as a shift from neoliberal policies to a development-oriented state role, arguing that the Government is managing IMF-related constraints while improving tax collection, reducing waste, and prioritizing expenditure to support recovery. He cited salary increases, welfare spending, capital expenditure, digital transformation, transport investment, SME support, skills development, and R&D as measures to stimulate demand and strengthen production. He said the Government would not pursue wholesale privatization of SOEs, instead using PPPs and strategic investment, while encouraging FDI in areas such as energy, the blue economy, and industrial parks. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate EmploymentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary A Cabinet decision has been made to direct state institutions’ paper requirements to the relevant factory. The member stated that plastic and other waste recycling is a priority emerging industry and part of a national environmental protection programme, and said the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development would provide maximum support for such proposals from Batticaloa. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Valaichchenai paper factory, occupying 330 acres and inactive since 2014, has resumed operations after machinery repairs and the appointment of a new Board. He stated production is about 200 tons per month, with targets of 300 tons from April and 500 tons within the year, while the factory has reached break-even or operating profit. He outlined plans for a packaging materials plant through the Industrial Development Board, multi-product zones, and technology upgrades through public–private–people partnerships to expand employment beyond the current 120 workers. Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that the National People’s Power’s first Budget is framed as part of an overall plan rather than being centred on a single Ministry. He said the coordinated work of industry, transport, technology, and agriculture is intended to establish the foundation for a production-based economy. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) AgriculturePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Ministry’s Estimates by arguing that Sri Lanka must build a production economy linked to global value chains, citing stagnant export earnings around USD 17 billion and weak growth as evidence of past policy failures. He outlined measures to support SMEs, improve market access, provide research, certification and skills support, address industrial land issues, improve ease of doing business, and coordinate entrepreneurship services across ministries and institutions. He also announced policy initiatives including a new SOP for vehicle assembly, changes for the gems and jewelry sector, an anti-dumping policy approved by Cabinet, duty-free raw materials for export production, and greater priority for local content in construction and development projects. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Budget’s allocations for industry and the digital economy are central to expanding Sri Lanka’s economy through digital transformation, startup development, and integration into global digital value chains. He outlined measures including a Fund of Funds with IFC, angel investment networks, startup infrastructure, digital nomad visas, IT districts, freelancer registration and banking access, and partnerships with India and Singapore to adopt proven technologies. He said digitalization would also be used to improve productivity in agriculture, fisheries and light manufacturing, expand the tax net, support SMEs, and improve ease of doing business through greater transparency. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) EmploymentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Chairperson of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe presented the Committee’s report on several annual reports and accounts from institutions under the industry and entrepreneurship sector. These included Mantai Salt Limited, the National Paper Company, the National Crafts Council, the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board, and the Industrial Development Board of Ceylon, and the report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Reports Presented Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said transport should be treated as an economic service that lowers production, commuting and logistics costs, rather than as a profit centre, and described the Rs. 483 billion allocation as part of a strategy to improve national competitiveness. He outlined proposals to optimize buses, trains, highways and waterways; expand rail freight, courier services, advertising, parking integration and value-added services; and use transport-related land, buildings and workshops as revenue-generating assets. He cited allocations for roads, bridges, railways, ports and airports, and said dry ports such as in the Wathupitiwala/Wayangoda area would be developed with Customs facilities to reduce Colombo Port congestion and support production zones. He invited Opposition and public input, arguing that transport planning must be aligned with production and economic revival. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Public FinanceEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that a tile factory abandoned during the LTTE conflict and unsuccessfully targeted for revival since 2015 is now being restarted under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. He said Rs. 15 million was allocated in 2024 and, following accelerated implementation under a new Chairman, production would commence on 7 March with an initial capacity of 5,800 tiles per day and about 150 jobs. He added that the project aims to supply affordable tiles and bricks to the Northern community and that further capital needs have been identified to sustain operations. Private Notice Question: Reopening of Tile Factory in Oddusuddan EmploymentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →