The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Although the Government says the economy is stable, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which contribute significantly to the economy, are facing severe difficulties in running their businesses. Rather than market competition, classification of loans as Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), and the imposition of high fees and penalty interest under the guise of loan restructuring, have had a grave impact on them. Government-announced relief programmes for MSMEs are often not implemented, and as a result many MSMEs are rapidly closing. Therefore, I pose the following:

¶ 02 1. What is the contribution of MSMEs to GDP? What export earnings have MSMEs generated over the last three years? 2. From 2019 to end 2025, how many MSMEs were operating; how many closed; how many were newly registered? What are the latest statistics on job losses due to closures? 3. Under this Government, what loan relief and grant programmes were introduced for MSMEs? Of the funds allocated for MSME loan schemes announced for 2025/2026, how much has actually been disbursed to MSMEs? Does the Government have bank-level data on rejection rates of these loan applications? What are the reasons for rejections? 4. What percentage of MSME loans are currently classified as NPLs? Has the Government prepared a special programme to remove legal and banking barriers when MSMEs seek new credit or refinancing? 5. What are the total dues payable by State institutions and corporations to MSME suppliers? Will the Government set timelines for these payments? 6. Has any study been done on the impact on MSMEs of higher electricity tariffs, fuel and transport costs? Will the Government minimize taxes and regulatory barriers on importing raw materials and re-importing machinery damaged by Cyclone Ditwah? 7. To prevent MSME collapse, will the Government suspend, under the Parate Law, asset seizures, auctions and litigation by banks, or restrict such powers? Before invoking Parate, MSME debts should be genuinely restructured. What steps will the Government take to achieve this?