The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Madam Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak in this debate on the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development under Hon. Sunil Handunnetti. As Chairman of the Batticaloa District Coordinating Committee and as Minister, he has shown commitment to the district’s development; we thank and appreciate him.

¶ 03 This is a key ministry for the country, especially for the Eastern Province, which has suffered from natural and man-made disasters. Through this Ministry, much must be done to rebuild the East. Internationally, we face economic challenges, and with external tax and trade pressures, our industries are vulnerable. Under your leadership, the Ministry bears a vital responsibility to protect and advance our industries.

¶ 04 In the Eastern Province, please create facilities for small and medium industries. In Batticaloa, an industrial zone was created in Eravur/Punnakkuda, but only one factory exists and operations have not begun. Please prioritize multiple factories and provide facilities there. Bring in suitable investors, and we stand ready to extend full cooperation.

¶ 05 The East has rich mineral sands, especially ilmenite, with potential to contribute significantly to the national economy. Utilize this to assist the province’s development.

¶ 06 The province, being war-affected, has many unemployed youth; many are untrained workers in the informal sector. Create livelihood opportunities through training and special bank financing for small enterprises. In partnership with private investment and technology, create jobs and uplift the region.

¶ 07 Establish a fully functioning industrial zone in Batticaloa. Nearly 54 percent of workers in the province are unskilled normal labourers, so initiate systematic training for them.

¶ 08 Agriculture-based industries can be a hub in the East. The Eastern Province contributes about 5–6 percent of national GDP through agriculture-based manufacturing, but this is not enough. Scale up agriculture, fisheries, tourism and port-related activities. The handloom industry once served the entire country—revive it along with rice mills, coconut/coir products, fish packaging, palmyrah products and allied sectors. Provide modern technology to enable youth employment.

¶ 09 Referring to Pottuvil, represented by Hon. Wazeer here: it is rich in agriculture, fisheries and tourism (including Arugam Bay). In the four areas of Lahugala, Panama, Thirukkovil and Pottuvil, all three communities live together. Yet no industrial zone has been established there—please initiate one.

¶ 10 The Valaichchenai Paper Factory has functioned better after you became Minister; the district thanks you. However, only one board machine operates, producing limited products like lunch paper and tablet cover paper—about 15 metric tons per day. Please renovate to improve quality and increase thickness and capacity of board production. Over 600 people worked there earlier; currently about 154 employees are working. This factory is over 75 years old. Local and foreign tourists to Pasikuda visit the paper factory; it has become a tourist attraction.

¶ 11 A proposal titled “Development Proposals for Paper City and Surrounding Areas” has been submitted. The factory has nearly 300 acres. Convert the area into a tourist city; protect the special development zone, the old power house (German machinery) and the old water treatment plant by renovating them. There are 40–50 quarters, 40–50 years old, now overgrown; renovate for homestay facilities. Many foreign tourists come but lack facilities; converting the campus into a tourist zone can generate higher revenue, with sports activities, a museum, homestays, a theme park, etc. Besides Pasikuda, Vakarei and Punnakkuda are potential tourism sites.

¶ 12 I also request attention to railway improvements and special train services to support tourism in Batticaloa and Kattankudy areas. Hon. Minister Wijitha Herath, his Secretary, and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority have shown concern for tourism in Batticaloa including Pasikuda. As District Coordinating Committee Chairman, please use your authority to expedite these developments.

¶ 13 Finally, on the monthly “Public Assistance” cash grant: beneficiaries receive Rs. 250 to Rs. 500 per month, mostly the elderly. This has remained Rs. 500 for a long time. They sometimes spend nearly Rs. 500 on transport to collect it from the post office. It is inadequate—please increase the amount. Also, there are many vacancies for Samurdhi Officers nationwide; fill them immediately. The previous Ministry agreed to pay them under salary scale PL-2-2016, but it has not yet been implemented. Provide necessary equipment and furniture for Samurdhi Development Officers—earlier supplied by Samurdhi Bank, now discontinued. Please ensure these are provided again through the Samurdhi Bank. Thank you.