The Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, accepted the request made by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, to take steps to establish new industrial estates in the Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Mannar districts. He requested that suitable lands for this purpose be identified and provided without delay.
During his visit to the Jaffna District, the Hon. Deputy Minister met with the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province yesterday – on Friday night, 17 July 2026 at the Governor’s Secretariat. It was during this meeting that agreement was reached on the above proposal.
At the meeting, the Governor requested that efforts by the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka to establish three investment zones in the Northern Province be expedited. In response, the Deputy Minister briefed the Governor on the measures already being taken in this regard. The Governor also raised requests concerning the maintenance and development of unused lands within the Achchuveli Industrial Estate, which operates under the Industrial Development Board. The Deputy Minister stated that appropriate budget allocations for this purpose would be made through the District Secrety in the upcoming national budget.
The Governor emphasized the need to establish industrial estates in the other districts of the Northern Province, similar to the Achchuveli Industrial Estate in the Jaffna District. The Deputy Minister pointed out that this could be implemented through the Industrial Development Board and stated that the project could be carried out with certainty if suitable lands were provided by the provincial administration.
Furthermore, the Governor highlighted the procedural difficulties faced by entrepreneurs in the Vanni region in obtaining government introduced loan facilities. In particular, he explained in detail the obstacles they face in securing bank loans due to the lack of land ownership documents. The Deputy Minister assured that he would hold discussions with the relevant banks and assist in creating and implementing a special mechanism to address this issue.
The Governor also pointed out delays faced by investors in obtaining permits and approvals. The Deputy Minister further stated that he was prepared to address such issues on a case-by-case basis, provide solutions for investors, and make the necessary arrangements.
It is noteworthy that Hon. Member of Parliament K. Ilangumaran, the Secretary to the Governor and the Private Secretary to the Governor also participated in this important meeting.
