The Hon. Hector Appuhamy

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development is vital to solving Sri Lanka’s problems, and it is led by a Minister I respect. We have worked together and I learned much from him. However, I urge Members not to repeat scripted claims about the past; focus on the new programmes in this Budget.

¶ 03 When you speak of exports, please acknowledge who established our existing industries and zones. Do not make sweeping claims without facts.

¶ 04 The Minister introduced the concept “one product, one shop.” He also spoke candidly about sugar pricing. But we now see brown sugar at different prices—Rs. 275, Rs. 280, even Rs. 350 per pack—which creates suspicion and suggests room for manipulation. While taking on private sector inefficiencies, ensure your initiatives don’t inadvertently suppress private enterprise. Keep these outlets open and transparent with proper programme design.

¶ 05 Under you are many agencies. Our youth are migrating. The government must take responsibility and also retain talent domestically. In 2025, Rs. 500 million was allocated for loans to young entrepreneurs in agriculture and industry, but only 28 loans were disbursed in 2025. You have a good programme and funding this year, but national-level implementation needs stronger execution; otherwise, micro-loan programmes will again be limited to a few dozen beneficiaries instead of thousands.

¶ 06 I will provide the source for my figures; if I am wrong, please correct it on record. The point is not to score political points—it is to ensure people are happy, which they are not today.

¶ 07 In my district, we have key product lines: coconut-based products, salt, coir, batik, and construction-related industries, as well as fisheries-related processing. On overseas employment: Sri Lankan youth are capable, but we do not train them adequately before departure. I request the Industry and Entrepreneurship Ministry to coordinate with other ministries to create a comprehensive pre-departure training system across sectors. Tie this practically to industrial needs, so domestic production gets skilled helpers while outgoing workers get targeted training for foreign job markets, enhancing remittances—a critical need as by 2028 we require substantial reserves.

¶ 08 Women-focused credit: many women can drive batik and apparel micro-enterprises, but the sector has collapsed due to issues like dye imports. Beyond credit, design guaranteed market access. Without markets, entrepreneurs pawn homes and land and then emigrate. Build a value-chain programme linking production to markets, coordinated across ministries with oversight committees.

¶ 09 On apparel: there is strong demand and we have world-class capability—Sri Lankan firms make top global brands. Rural women can be enabled to produce high-quality items with modern machines (now accessible) and technological guidance. Use social media and digital tools correctly to expand knowledge, connect to markets and educate producers.

¶ 10 Food processing: develop dairy and spice-based products, enabling women to earn via self-employment, especially in regions with strong diaspora links and market opportunities.

¶ 11 On plastic bag policy: merely paying for “sili-sili” bags has not stopped usage; consumers adapt by paying. Food chains replaced them with cloth or proprietary bags and even monetize that. The burden falls on consumers. By law, goods must be provided with adequate packaging; globally, consumers may pay for bags, but we should create domestic, eco-friendly alternatives through an industry programme—design the solution first (project reports, producer financing, consumer preparation), then legislate. Do not legislate first and search for solutions later.

¶ 12 Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Minister.