Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Friday, 4 September 2020 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a high-powered ministerial committee to promote investments for import substitution and exports with himself at the helm, a top official said yesterday.
A total of 15 Cabinet Ministers, including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and six State Ministers, will be roped into assist the Sub-Committee on Investment Promotion, with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at its helm.
“The Government has prioritised the expansion of local and foreign investment facilities for an export and import substitution manufacturing economy that will benefit all parties, while eradicating poverty through the National Development Program in the policy framework Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour,” Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.
He said the Cabinet approved the proposal made by the President to appoint the Sub-Committee on investment promotion, to be chaired by him.
The other Ministers in the Sub Committee are Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando, Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Lands Minister S.M. Chandrasena, Water Supply Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Energy Minister Udaya Prabath Gammanpila, Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana, and Justice Minister Ali Sabry.
Cabinet also granted approval to get the assistance of Six State Ministers to assist the activities of the Sub-Committee. They are; Solar, Wind, Grid Power Generation Projects Development State Minister Duminda Dissanayake; Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping industry Development State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera; Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry State Minister Dilum Amunugama; Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka; Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa; and Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal.
Meanwhile Cabinet also approved a proposal by Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa to allocate plots of lands from regional industrial zones for the establishment of industries.
The land will be allocated as part of the ‘Regional Industrial Zones Development Program’ which has been used with the objective of promoting the industries at regional level.
Cabinet approval was granted to allocate lands on tenancy from the industrial zones of Ratmalana, Kalutara, Millewa, Nalanda, Ulapone, Makandura, Uva Paranagama and Batticaloa for nine investors for 35 years for the inauguration of industries subject to the recommendations submitted by the relevant regional industrial services committees.
