The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister, I answer:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes.

¶ 03 The Elpitiya Industrial Estate has been established by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) under the Ministry.

¶ 04 (ii) Total extent: 65 acres, planned as Phase I (21 acres) and Phase II (44 acres).

¶ 05 (iii) Phase I (21 acres) is established as an agro-food products estate. Infrastructure has been developed and approvals obtained from the Central Environmental Authority, Urban Development Authority, the Pradeshiya Sabha, and the DS Office. Phase II (44 acres): internal roads formed (not carpeted); electricity and water provisioning is in progress; the Industrial Technology Institute is preparing the required report for CEA approval. IDB is expediting remaining approvals and infrastructure.

¶ 06 (iv) Development carried out by the IDB, with: - Electricity via CEB under allocated provisions; - Water reticulation and tank constructed by a private contractor under estate provisions; - Internal roads by the Industry Ministry; - Security gatehouse by a private contractor under estate provisions; - Phase II internal roads by private contractors (not carpeted); five water lines laid by the Ministry; CEB estimates requested for electricity.

¶ 07 (v) Phase I (21 acres for agro/food): 10 plots allotted; 4 investors have commenced construction. Phase II (multi-product zone): 92 plots allotted; additional space available for several more investors. After CEA approval, investors may commence construction.

¶ 08 (b) Not applicable.