Minister Sunil Handunnetti says Sri Lanka’s industrial revolution is underway as 19 new factories begin construction. Mocking Sajith Premadasa’s political inertia, he declares the government will steer the nation’s future while canceling dormant mining permits and unlocking unused land for development.
Industry Minister Sunil Handunnetti declared in Parliament that 19 new factories will be launched across Sri Lanka, as the government shifts into high gear to develop industrial zones islandwide. While announcing this major economic initiative, he didn’t miss the chance to throw shade at opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, calling him the “eternal opposition leader” and comparing him to Vav Chow from the cartoon Doctor Who—someone who always says no.
“The people believe the government will always be the compass guiding the country as long as Sajith is stuck in the opposition,” Handunnetti said, reinforcing the message that the administration is moving forward while the opposition remains stagnant.
“We have already begun developing several industrial parks. A total of 19 new zones will be established throughout the country,” he stated. These industrial hubs are expected to generate thousands of new jobs, according to the minister. Government agents have been instructed to identify land that is unused, uncultivated, or not allocated for tourism or recreation. “We will utilize all suitable land for industry,” he added.
Turning to Sri Lanka’s untapped mineral wealth, Handunnetti criticized the mismanagement of exploration licenses. “So much land has been allocated for mineral exploration that you can’t even place a finger on a map without touching one of these permits,” he remarked. Currently, 58 companies have licenses for mineral exploration, but the minister said most have done nothing with them.
He said the government is preparing to cancel these dormant permits through cabinet approval. “There are valuable mineral resources all across Sri Lanka. If properly harnessed, they can drive massive economic growth,” Handunnetti emphasized.
The government aims to convert idle land and neglected mining opportunities into engines of development, making this a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and resource extraction industries.
