Minister of Industries Sunil Handunnetti pushed back against criticism in Parliament today over the recent closure of a section within a garment factory located in Katunayake, asserting that the incident is being exaggerated while broader progress is being ignored.
Addressing the House, the Minister clarified that only one section of a garment factory has been shut down—not the entire operation. “The company in question operates three garment factories in the country. Only one section has ceased operations,” he explained.
Handunnetti used the opportunity to highlight what he sees as a double standard in political discourse. “Our government has opened several new garment factories across the country,” he said. “But all the attention is on one closure, not the many that are opening.”
Turning the question back on the opposition, he challenged them to reflect on their own track record. “How many garment factories did you open when you were in power?” he asked rhetorically.
The Minister emphasized that the dynamics of the industry are such that openings and closures are part of the natural business cycle. He criticized those who amplify negative news while ignoring positive developments, calling it a politically motivated distraction.
His remarks come at a time when the state of Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and export sectors is under scrutiny, with stakeholders concerned about employment stability and international investor confidence. But according to Handunnetti, the garment industry remains resilient, and the government’s industrial push is gaining momentum—despite isolated setbacks.
By reframing the closure as part of a broader narrative of growth, the Minister sought to reassure Parliament and the public that the government’s industrial policy remains on course.
