The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, during this debate on the allocations for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and its affiliated institutions, both Government and Opposition Members presented many views. The President also stated the Government will pursue industrial development. One proposal was to bring IDB and NEDA, etc., under one umbrella from next year. When I was Minister, I initiated this and submitted a Cabinet Paper. It is a useful reform; please expedite it.

¶ 03 Industries currently operate under three — the Ministry, IDB, and BOI. Except for BOI zones, there is no integration between estates under the Ministry and under IDB. We began steps during my tenure, but they are incomplete. In 2025, an additional Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated above Rs. 4,000 million to estates under IDB. Over 20 industrial estates are under the Ministry. Please examine the shortcomings in those and address them.

¶ 04 Industrialists report many issues. For example, three local companies produce GI wire (mavvai), and when they produce in excess for export, exporters face obstacles. Previously, procedures were complicated — requiring IDB committee approval, another committee, and finally the Minister’s signature — creating delays and, allegedly, avenues for interference or bribery. There is no need to bring every case to the Minister. Provincial Assistant Directors can inspect and recommend, and the Additional Secretary can approve within a week. Due to delays, the country is losing 2–3 million US dollars per month from thousands of tons. Prices are set by global markets; industries need timely approvals. I raised this with the Hon. Minister; the Coordinating Secretary spoke to the IDB Chairman, who said he would look into it. But some officials do not even answer phone calls. People will not blame a new government in its first year, but if this continues next year, they will. Please address uncooperative officials.

¶ 05 In our time, together with the Ministry we had an Exporters’ Forum chaired by us. If EDB is under you, convene the Exporters’ Forum every two or three months so problems are solved on the spot. A year has passed and exporters still face many issues. Even after the Secretary’s instructions, some officials delay — perhaps expecting something. Please devise a mechanism within one or two weeks to clear exporters’ cases. Without exports, we cannot rebuild.

¶ 06 As Minister, I allocated funds with Cabinet approval to start an industrial estate at Kondachchy in Mannar. The then Chief Minister Wigneswaran, with a communal mindset, created hurdles. Rs. 110 million was allocated for water and electricity. The 25-acre land falls under the Musali Divisional Secretariat. The funds and land are there. Please allocate a few hundred million from the current Rs. 4,000–5,000 million and start work this year, Insha Allah. It will create jobs for youth in that area.

¶ 07 During my time, we established estates in Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Weli Oya, and Puthukudiyiruppu; thousands of poor youth now have jobs. You should also pursue public–private partnerships — the Government provides basic infrastructure and investors will come.

¶ 08 Under NEDA, we set up an incubator at the University College, Kuliyapitiya, to encourage university students to start their own ventures instead of waiting for government jobs. I do not know if it continues; please expand such programmes.

¶ 09 The President announced a plan where the Government will pay an allowance for two years for recruits to private-sector jobs. That is good. When implementing, connect incubator systems in the North — at the University of Jaffna or the Faculty of Engineering in Kilinochchi — and at the South Eastern University’s Engineering Faculty. Many return from abroad with savings but without knowing what business to start; incubators can guide them into SMEs and export-oriented ventures.

¶ 10 On research and development, allocations are very low. Because of weak R&D, industrial progress lags. SLINTEC, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, though begun as a public–private partnership, is functioning well. Through SLINTEC and university engineering faculties, we can conduct research. Engage big companies to fund R&D in return for tax incentives — for example, allow partial reductions in income tax for certified R&D investments, as done in Switzerland, Japan, the USA, and Europe. In this global, digital age, we must leverage private capital into R&D and provide commensurate tax relief.

¶ 11 Regarding Valaichchenai Industrial Estate, over 300 acres are available. Prioritise local investors and youth for tourism-related crafts and agro-based processing like rice and related products.

¶ 12 On Hingurana Sugar, Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa and others spoke. Farmers are distressed; many have died seeking redress. I understand you are working on it. Please pursue it earnestly.

¶ 13 When I took over the sugar sector, Sri Lanka Sugar Company had losses of Rs. 1,000 million. When I left, the company had Rs. 2.7 billion in fixed deposits. We appointed an educated and capable Chairman who managed well. When the Government shifted the subject, employees protested on the streets asking to return it to me. Please bring in competent people like that Chairman, consult them, and use them for implementation.

¶ 14 Another key institution under your Ministry is the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). Minerals are a great national asset. Properly used, they can bring billions of dollars. We should not remain raw material exporters. We had invited investors and allocated land in Hambantota to set up a titanium dioxide or related value-added plant, importing regional raw materials as needed for value addition. Now GSMB is under you — please push such plans through with scientists and researchers.

¶ 15 On Pulmoddai: I have raised the youth employment issue many times. In 2023, a Minister from Galle appointed 17 people from his area and paid them for three months; then they all left. In 2024, 46 were appointed; later 34 more were hired. The initial 17 from Galle were paid; the 34 were paid three months and then stopped; the latest 46 are working without salaries. You told me salaries were held up due to a Bribery Commission case. I checked — the case is over. You extract local minerals and earn national income; like you gave Rs. 5,000 million to estate workers, please promptly pay these poor youth in the local area to encourage them. The Government has announced permanency for about 9,000 casual employees. I ask you to resolve this and pay arrears — otherwise we cannot even visit the area.