The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I reply as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The land acquisition process for the proposed Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone has been temporarily halted pending the decision of a case filed in the Court of Appeal by Horana Plantations PLC. (ii) Total compensation paid so far is Rs. 91.2 million. (iii) In connection with the proposed Palpola interchange on the Southern Expressway, 115 land lots (3.0385 hectares) have been acquired. (iv) From the BOI funds deposited to the Milleniya Divisional Secretariat’s General Deposit Account (Rs. 91,500,000.00 as advance provision), compensation has been paid for 45 of the 115 lots; for 14 of those, interest has also been paid by the Divisional Secretary. Total disbursed is Rs. 91,125,842.04. (v) Development work is mainly in three areas: - Road system development – Rs. 180,000,000.00 - Water supply – Rs. 160,363,156.89 - Electricity supply – Rs. 105,200,241.00

¶ 03 Due to legal issues in land acquisition, the Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone has been temporarily suspended. However, on BOI’s request, the Road Development Authority has already prepared plans for the Palpola interchange and Milleniya–Palpola road development.

¶ 04 A decision on proceeding will be taken after the judgment in the pending case regarding the acquisition for the proposed Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone.

¶ 05 (b) Does not arise.