The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to open today’s debate on two key Regulations, a Notification and an Order crucial for economic stabilization.

¶ 02 A Special Gazette is presented to establish a designated textile production zone in Eravur, Batticaloa. The project investment is about USD 35 million. It will be fully exempt from taxes for the first 10 years and taxed at 50 percent for the next five. We expect net returns of about USD 300 million. This involves importing yarn and producing textiles locally, and we anticipate additional factories in Eravur, creating around 490 direct jobs. Such investments will reduce regional imbalances in contribution to the national economy.

¶ 03 On FDI over the last 20 years: in 2023, FDI inflows were USD 0.71 billion (about 0.84 percent of GDP); in 2022, USD 0.888 billion (1.19 percent of GDP); in 2021, USD 0.598 billion (0.67 percent of GDP). Total FDI over 20 years is USD 14.88 billion. In the last five years (60 months) before 2023, total FDI was USD 3.358 billion. In contrast, within two months, our Government has attracted a single investment of USD 3.78 billion for Hambantota refinery — exceeding the previous five-year total for one project.

¶ 04 However, an Opposition MP recently claimed those investors would not come, alleging a 10 percent commission was demanded. With a CPI score of 34/100 and rank 115 globally, Sri Lanka suffers from perceived corruption; asking for commissions drives investors away.

¶ 05 On foreign travel by MPs: in 2024 (excluding the President’s vote), for 17 MPs and 11 officials (28 persons), Rs. 32,273,395 was spent; in 2023, 54 MPs and 20 officials (74 persons) cost Rs. 51,424,720; in 2022, 27 MPs and 9 officials (36 persons) cost Rs. 43,868,154. What investments did these trips yield?

¶ 06 An Opposition MP also said on TV that reducing security for former Presidents opens the North to attacks if roads are opened and camps removed. Must the North be kept caged? In the last General Election, for the first time, the map turned one colour nationwide — people of the North, East and Hill Country extended a fraternal hand towards economic development. We will not abandon them. Such statements only consign that old politics to the dustbin.

¶ 07 Large numbers still leave the country: 313,642 departures for foreign employment in 2024; 297,656 in 2023, including 107,412 women aged 30–50; 310,953 in 2022, including 104,085 women aged 30–50. These numbers reflect economic, social and cultural strains on families.

¶ 08 On suicides: in the first nine months of 2024, 2,470 (2,015 male; 455 female); in 2023, 3,440 (2,897 male; 543 female); in 2022, 3,406 (2,832 male; 574 female). Men die by suicide about four times as often as women. Beyond proximate causes like depression or relationship breakdown, many are victims of broader economic, political and cultural crises borne over decades. We are here to rebuild the country and correct the past — not to repeat it.