The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, although my allotted time has been reduced, I thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 At this Committee Stage, we debate the Heads of the Ministries of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, and Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment. We cannot discuss today’s situation without recalling the Mahinda Rajapaksa era—massive infrastructure was built: ports, airports, highways—laying foundations for industrial development and entrepreneurship. Hambantota Port, the airport, expressways, and industrial zones were established. Whether subsequent Governments effectively leveraged these assets is a question.

¶ 03 We must also acknowledge the adverse conditions that hindered SMEs and large industry over decades: the 30-year war; the 1971 and 1989 insurrections; Black July; the tsunami; terrorist attacks; the recent COVID-19 pandemic; and the recent unrest. These constrained industrial growth. Today, however, the present Government has a clearer path to act beyond those crises. Therefore, I believe there is now an opportunity to build SMEs and large enterprises and to bring significant investments to this country.