The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, I reply as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) An industrial park has been established on 10 acres at Poonthottam, Vavuniya (Plan No. 66). The park comprises 65 plots numbered 1452 to 1509. Accordingly, 1458 is the number of one of the individual plots within the park.

¶ 03 (ii) At the inception, jungle is cleared and plots are demarcated for allocation to new investors. While dereliction can occur on vacant plots and on plots where industries are not operating, such plots will be cleared by incoming investors upon allocation. Many operating industrialists also retain large trees as shade on their plots. Grass along the park roadsides is cut and the area cleaned monthly.

¶ 04 (b) (i) There are 65 plots in the Poonthottam Industrial Park.

¶ 05 (ii) Fifty (50) plots have been allocated to 19 industrialists; 13 plots remain vacant; and 2 plots are reserved for the Industrial Development Board’s activities.

¶ 06 (iii) At present, except for three allottees, all other allottees are successfully operating industries.

¶ 07 (iv) Yes. Plots held by allottees who are not conducting business can be cancelled and reallocated to new entrepreneurs. Necessary action is underway.

¶ 08 (v) Thirteen (13) currently vacant plots can be allocated to new entrepreneurs. In addition, action is being taken to cancel several plots of non-operational allottees and reallocate them to new entrepreneurs.

¶ 09 (vi) The most recent development programmes were in 2020 and 2021: - In 2020, a new 400 KVA transformer was installed at a cost of Rs. 2.5 million to address inadequate electricity capacity for production. - In 2021, perimeter fencing of the park was constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.5 million.

¶ 10 (vii) Steps are being taken to operate the park at maximum capacity. Three new industrialists have already applied for some of the 13 vacant plots, and upon allocation the park will be close to full capacity.

¶ 11 (c) Not applicable.