The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak on the Head of a very important Ministry. Industry contributes critically to our economy—manufacturing, services, plantation, livestock, fisheries—every sector contributes significantly.

¶ 02 Lately, the oft-repeated phrase has been “the 76-year curse.” We must note how that “76-year curse” affected our industries. In 1988–89 there was an armed insurrection. Those armed insurgents destroyed institutions: timber depots, sawmills, building materials corporations, plywood corporations, cashew corporation, fertilizer corporation, government schools—132 were destroyed—along with many factories, power stations, and agricultural centers. Those insurgents are no longer there, so at least that problem is no more.

¶ 03 On the Budget chapter on Economic Services and Entrepreneurship, it says “new economic zones including Bingiriya will be established to attract foreign investors,” allocating Rs. 0.9 billion. I am happy the name “Bingiriya” is mentioned, but the wording is wrong. Bingiriya Economic Zone has existed for around seven years; work began in March 2019. We initially allocated five factory plots to investors. The Bingiriya Export Processing Zone spans 441 acres, in two phases: “German Watta” and “Gorakagas Aagara Watta.” After 2020, work slowed greatly. Even basic infrastructure is still incomplete. The Government and the investment authority have already spent over Rs. 3 billion, and much more is needed. The correct statement would be to develop Bingiriya and establish other zones.

¶ 04 To develop 441 acres in Bingiriya, a large sum is required. If you also plan new zones, even more funds are needed. The current allocation, Rs. 0.9 billion (Rs. 900 million), is insufficient even to advance works in the existing Bingiriya EPZ, let alone moving into Gorakagas Aagara Watta after German Watta. We currently have water supply for 2,000 cubic metres and 2 MW electricity, which must be increased to 10 MW; water must be increased to 10,000 cubic metres. An outfall from Bingiriya to Madampe is planned for effluent; currently only dry operations are possible. Beyond the 441 acres, there are adjacent lands—about 130 acres of NLDB land at Kochchikadewewa, and 550 acres of Chilaw Plantations at Gin Weli Aagara. Altogether, this could scale to about 1,100 acres. Rather than spreading money thinly across many zones, at least allocate adequately to develop the large Bingiriya EPZ. It is the most attractive location for new investors—about 80 km from Colombo and 50 km from Katunayake—with a good workforce and less underworld interference.

¶ 05 Hambantota EPZ also exists; we started several factories there including cement. That can be developed, leveraging Hambantota Port, while Bingiriya can be developed targeting Colombo Port. Adequate funding is what matters most. Several investors are lined up at Bingiriya already—about USD 48 million in pharmaceuticals, an apparel factory, and four other industries; another investor just arrived. Promote and provide infrastructure.

¶ 06 Our coconut-based industries are in severe difficulty—DC, coconut oil, value-added exports—due to high nut prices, high electricity tariffs, competitiveness barriers, and high taxes. Coconut-based industries contribute about USD 800 million to our economy; with proper support they can reach USD 1,000 million.

¶ 07 On coconut imports, you decided to import the equivalent of 200 million coconuts as raw material. But none have arrived so far due to practical barriers: quarantine, CRI constraints, and other hurdles. These must be solved to implement the policy.

¶ 08 Regarding the parate law and banking relief: after COVID many industrialists who rescheduled loans ended up paying interest on interest, with banks moving to seize assets. The Government must continue to intervene to stand up these businesses.

¶ 09 On sports: we have an excellent Minister and Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne. Sports must become an economic strength as in India. We have many talented but poor athletes, often rural. The Ministry must identify talent from schools and take them to international level with facilities, technology, and training. South Asia’s best track athletes are from Sri Lanka; the Ministry has a huge responsibility to create the pathways to more Olympic medals, as Susanthika Jayasinghe once did.

¶ 10 Finally, please help us with the Provincial Sports Complex in Bingiriya. The grounds, once used by the local community, have been out of use for a long period. The project was started by Dayasiri Jayasekara but not completed. Please intervene to complete at least part of it quickly so athletes and the public benefit. Thank you for the time.