The Hon. Ajith P. Perera
Hon. Ajith P. Perera urged the Government to proceed with the proposed Milleniya Export Processing Zone in Kalutara, noting that 244 acres had already been acquired, surveyed, planned and partly developed for industrial use. He questioned reports of a proposal dated 22 April 2024 to return the land to Horana Plantations under Section 39, despite its earlier acquisition under Section 38, and asked who was responsible and who would benefit. He requested a separate inquiry involving relevant officials, himself and the area Minister, arguing that completing this zone would support the Government’s stated policy of establishing EPZs and avoid wasting public investment.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 EPZs are crucial to attract FDI. The President, as Finance Minister, said on 17 February that EPZs will be established. Beyond new zones, it is rational to complete zones already surveyed, with basic works done, and legal issues resolvable. Reports say Western Province lacks land for industrial development, but here are 244 acres acquired from the plantation under Section 38, surveyed and prepared.
¶ 02 Who is behind the conspiracy to hand these valuable lands back to Horana Plantations under Section 39? If your Government is creating new zones, the Milleniya EPZ in Kalutara is the best immediate candidate—surveyed, planned and partly completed. This was our work. On 2024.04.22, there was a proposal to vest back to Horana Plantations. Which officials are making this proposal? For whose benefit? I request a separate inquiry, summon us and the area Minister, and get to the bottom of this, so we can proceed without wasting billions already invested.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Tuesday, 22 July 2025 ·No. 1753443916033328 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Ajith P. Perera. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 22 July 2025. No. 1753443916033328. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/13594