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

4 March 2025 AI summary Discussions are underway to coordinate relevant institutions through District Coordinating Committees, with special committees for the gem and mining sectors bringing together the CEA, GSMB and NGJA for joint responses, including the possibility of establishing such a committee in the relevant district. A dedicated NGJA unit is also being set up to process complaints, with resource requests submitted. The Deputy Minister stated that unauthorized sand stockpiling and transport are illegal and cited the fines under Circular 121/85, emphasizing the Ministry’s objective of strengthening local enforcement against violators. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) InfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister explained that Circular 121/8 provides for fines ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 333,333 for breaches, but that settlements may be permitted after violations under stricter monitoring and conditions. He stated that regulatory gaps would be addressed and that licences may be temporarily reissued subject to conditions in such cases. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that the National Gem and Jewellery Authority issued 7,897 gem mining licences in 2024, with 101 valid ordinary licences and 6 mechanized excavation permits in the Wellawaya DS Division as at 11 January 2025. He clarified that a Central Environmental Authority recommendation is not a statutory requirement under the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act, No. 50 of 1993, though environmental reports may be obtained where concerns arise, identifying a gap in CEA oversight for environmentally sensitive areas. He noted that licences include environmental and operational conditions, with powers to suspend or cancel licences, police assistance against illegal activity, and confiscation of items used in offences, while acknowledging that enforcement has been weak and requires strengthening. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) EnvironmentLaw & Order Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is monitoring industrial park operators through park committees and will support viable closed or distressed enterprises with financial and technical assistance, including coordination with banks and relevant Budget provisions. He stated that recovery plans are being requested from closed operators and that, where feasible, they will be encouraged to restart operations before any reallocation is considered. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) AgriculturePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that limited industrial land and inefficient use of existing plots are major concerns. He said the ministry will work with current allottees to improve productivity and capacity, while issuing notices to holders of idle or under-developed plots to either vacate or submit development plans. If they fail to respond within three months, legal action will be taken to repossess the land and reallocate it to active investors through park committees. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that Sri Lanka has a shortage of suitable industrial land and that performance varies across industrial parks managed by the Ministry, IDB, BOI and Provincial Councils, with BOI parks generally functioning better due to export focus and infrastructure. He reported that 527 industries operate in Ministry parks, 408 are closed, 14 of 33 operating parks are at full capacity, and space remains in some parks, while SME data collection is still underway. He said a national plan covering all relevant agencies is being formulated, with 10 new industrial parks planned for the year on about 570 acres, supported by Rs. 1.5 billion from the Budget and proposed public-private partnerships for infrastructure and services. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) EmploymentInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Industrial Development Board Chairman has already taken action on the matter. He said that, due to limited allocations and high demand, priority this year will be given to completing the Elpitiya and Kalutara-area industrial estates before initiating new estates. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) AgriculturePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that land allocation problems in several estates stemmed from the absence of a national plan and are currently handled by estate-level committees. He said allottees who have not begun construction or submitted plans have been instructed to commence within six months or present a commencement plan, with reasonable extensions possible. If they fail to comply, plots may be repossessed under the lease’s non-use condition and reallocated to active investors. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) Public FinanceLand & Housing Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that after the new Government took office, a review of industrial estates identified significant expenditure and wastage at Elpitiya. He said the Industrial Development Board is redirecting funds under a new efficiency-focused plan, with oversight by both the IDB and the Ministry. He added that past deficiencies and supplier-related issues are being addressed and that future contracts will follow stricter procedures to reduce costs. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that the Elpitiya Industrial Estate, established by the Industrial Development Board, covers 65 acres across two phases. He said Phase I, a 21-acre agro-food products estate, has infrastructure and key approvals in place, with 10 plots allotted and four investors starting construction. Phase II, a 44-acre multi-product zone, has 92 plots allotted, with internal roads formed and water, electricity, and environmental approvals still being completed. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) InfrastructureEmployment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said environmental impacts related to industrial activity, including landslide-prone areas, flood plains and flood-prone zones, are being examined jointly by the Environment Ministry, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Industry Ministry. He stated that a national framework is being prepared to update and define standards, enable rapid enforcement against non-compliance, and strengthen permit supervision, with national presentation expected shortly. Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) EnvironmentInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the gem mining sector faces regulatory, legal, and land rights issues linked to past political interference and varying scales of mining activity. He noted that unpaid security deposits had required the Authority to spend Rs. 11 million in 2024 to close and rehabilitate pits. He said the Government is establishing oversight mechanisms from the District Secretary to Divisional Secretariat level and a legal support team under the Authority to strengthen enforcement and supervision. Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsEnvironment Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, figures were provided on gem-mining permits issued by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority from 2020 to 2024, rising from 4,665 in 2020 to 7,897 in 2024, with a peak of 8,286 in 2023. For Badulla District, 1,434 licensed gem mines were reported for 2021-2024 across DS Divisions, with the highest numbers in Lunugala, Haldummulla and Passara, and active mines increasing from 181 in 2021 to 434 by end-2024. It was also stated that lists of mines properly closed and backfilled according to standards for 2020-2024, including licensee and site details, have been compiled and are available with the Authority. Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) AgricultureEnvironment Read →
24 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe moved that Hon. Aravinda Senarath take the Chair. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Clean Sri Lanka programme as a broad initiative focused on improving productivity across government, industry, schools and state-owned enterprises, rather than a limited enforcement exercise. He said the National Productivity Secretariat, now under his Ministry, will relaunch the National Productivity Awards and drive measures to reduce waste and improve efficiency in industrial zones and public institutions. He announced plans to support the Valachchenai Paper Mill by aggregating waste paper from state institutions, schools and households through collection centres, following a Cabinet submission. He urged Opposition MPs and the public to support the programme, arguing that higher productivity is essential for Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in the global market. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) EnvironmentPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe proposed that Hon. Aravinda Senarath take the Chair at that point in the proceedings. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe challenged Hon. Kabir Hashim’s criticism of International Sovereign Bonds, stating that many of the bonds described as “odious” were issued during Hashim’s period in office and asking whether he was aware of how they were being taken. He also referred to the Government’s programme for the upcoming rice season, including the role of cooperatives and planned changes, and questioned whether the Opposition had acknowledged those measures. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe addressed Hon. Kabir Hashim and indicated that he wished to pose several questions. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was stated in the excerpt provided. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the proposed regulation concerning the Colombo Port City Commission, stating that it is needed to improve the quality of the 68 ongoing developments and should be adopted. He said the Government would continue bringing necessary regulations to strengthen the National People’s Power’s economic policy, in response to the economic policy failures for which the electorate had mandated change. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister responded that the Government should not be blamed immediately, noting that a committee discussion had taken place and that Hon. Harsha de Silva had highlighted long-standing requests from public officials for a Bill to establish a regulatory body for casinos. He said conditional approval was granted because casinos currently exist without a proper authority or law to regulate them, and stated that the new Government would intervene while not accepting responsibility for prior administrative delays. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →