The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, many points were clarified today, following the President’s statements as Minister of Finance and Defence in this House.

¶ 02 On the current industrial situation: as Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said, we did not build a vehicle-by-vehicle fueling method; under our industrial classification, we prioritized 21 sectors—production industries, especially exporters, and service entities in value chains—to keep the economy functioning amid crisis.

¶ 03 As of this morning at 9.00 a.m., we had 2,298 institutional requests. By 4.00 p.m. yesterday, we had recommended 1,848 institutions, including 757 in export industries. The CPC accepted 293 loads (6,600 liters each); 180 have already been issued. Sectors include automobile components and assembly, board, granite, coir, cosmetics, electrical and electronic, gem and jewellery, machinery and production, packaging, paint/chemical/printing, pharmaceutical, processed food, rubber and plastics, spices, value-added tea, wood-based, and event management. For chains like Food City, we supply at company level, not per branch or vehicle, easing management. We know some entities still struggle; we have asked gig logistics, bakery producers and associations to aggregate and register as entities. For those outside, CPC, the Ministry of Power and Energy, and Divisional Secretaries have a form route so micro entities can obtain fuel.

¶ 04 The challenge arises where some collect beyond normal needs—due to fears on war duration and narratives of “no fuel.” We have to manage within limits. Practical issues—like a bank generator needing 30 liters but having 20—are being handled via Divisional Secretaries. Special cases (newly released vehicles lacking 070006 registration) are also managed.

¶ 05 Our objective is to keep the economy open—not to lock down—while managing essentials. We believe we are succeeding. As a non-oil producer with limited storage, we have handled this reasonably; the President showed that some countries face higher proportional price increases than we do.

¶ 06 By sector, we thank industry for cooperation. Tea factories have no major closures; if any, even Opposition Members should inform us and we will intervene—let’s work collectively. We hope this situation clears quickly.

¶ 07 Every crisis has opportunities. Our exports—tea, spices and other sectors—face challenges, but due to our balanced relations with both warring and non-warring regions, we do not expect to lose markets. For tourism, exports, and intermediary imports, we will protect markets and our neutrality.

¶ 08 We are working as a team: Trade, Food Security and Cooperative Development; Industry and Entrepreneurship; Fisheries and Aquatic/Marine Resources; Plantations and Rural Infrastructure; and Agriculture/Livestock/Lands/Irrigation. The public recognizes this teamwork.

¶ 09 This crisis was not created by our Government, not by our dollar earnings, nor simply a revenue issue, despite partisan media narratives; the people will judge. We will table documents detailing how industrial fuel was allocated—by institution, town, district, and load—so no one can claim later that we did nothing. I table for the Hansard the Consumer Order Delivery Allocations for 19.03.2026 (61 institutions) and for 20.03.2026 (101 institutions), including cust. codes, locations, districts, and load details, as produced at the end of my speech.

¶ 10 We thank the Opposition for this adjournment debate which allowed us to present actions taken since the onset of this situation. We continue meetings under the President this evening; sectoral meetings have also been chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Upali Pannilage on public administration, infrastructure, and essential services.

¶ 11 Madam, two more minutes?

¶ 12 Let me conclude: despite their own fuel and quota difficulties, public officers have worked voluntarily and tirelessly. In my Ministry, Secretary Ms. Thilaka Jayasundara and staff have worked day and night. We did not ask for special quotas; our officers used only their vehicle allocations. Only essential staff were called in as needed. CPC, the Ministry of Power and Energy, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya and team worked tirelessly; Mr. Sumudu Rathnayake coordinated excellently. We did not think within our silos; we worked as one, and continue to do so. Once again, as during Cyclone Dithwa, the Tri-Forces, Disaster Management, Divisional Secretaries and public service have shown exemplary service. I extend my gratitude to all.