Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, today’s item seeks Parliament’s approval to provide facilities CIABOC needs to conduct systematic investigations. If any Member has concerns about an ongoing probe, they are free to complain or seek clarifications from CIABOC—now an actually independent body.

¶ 02 Much of today’s debate focused on public facilitation amidst Middle East conflict and the reintroduction of QR. Under the President’s leadership, we have set up lead committees with Cabinet approval to manage this.

¶ 03 On industry and fuel: we are ensuring uninterrupted allocations to export-oriented construction, manufacturing, and services. We circulated a Google Form for all industrial operators to register; please share it with your constituents. About 750 establishments have registered with their precise needs: volumes, fuel types, and uses (passenger, employee transport, goods transport). Allocations are then fairly assigned to line ministries—Industry and Enterprise Development, Fisheries, Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure—and onward to CPC. For retail and logistics chains moving food, we assign quotas directly to the institution so their fleets can refuel. Where companies have preferred or nearby sheds (CTB or others), we note that and route allocations accordingly. We sign written agreements with CPC to ensure call-offs match allocations.

¶ 04 For apparel and export factories, whether they shuttle employees themselves or via third parties, we identify the mode and allocate quotas. There is no need for doubt or rumors. We are updating and managing data continuously.

¶ 05 On tourism, the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Employment and Tourism has, by letter dated 17th (today), established identity protocols for sector operators. I table the letter. Tour guides with valid IDs and vehicles carrying tourists are to be given priority service and exempted from queues; police and sheds have been informed. This is not the general consumer quota; it is fit-for-purpose to ensure journeys proceed.

¶ 06 Every two days, under the President’s leadership, Ministers of Industry, Power and Energy, Agriculture, Tourism, Health, Transport and Highways meet to review status and manage allocations. There is no reason for industrial operators to fear fuel shortages. Thank you.