Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 05:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa
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In a boost to regional economic development, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet of Ministers had approved leasing regional land for 38 new manufacturing projects across the country and allocating 64 acres for a food processing and packaging industrial zone in Dambulla.
He said the 38 manufacturing projects represent a combined investment of Rs. 2.5 billion and are expected to create around 1,559 direct jobs. The land will be provided on leases of up to 35 years.
According to Jayatissa, 42 project proposals were initially recommended by the Regional Industrial Service Committee, with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development’s Project Evaluation Committee granting final clearance for 38 of them.
The approved allocations cover sites in Ampara, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kalutara, Minuwangoda, Matugama, Millaniya, Ulapaney, Ratnapura Nalanda, Karandeniya, Bata Atha, Mannar, Galigamuwa, Embilipitiya, Buththala, Dankotuwa, Puttalam, and Aluthapola.
The Cabinet has also approved the establishment of a dedicated food processing and packaging zone in Dambulla. Of the more than 64 acres identified for the project, 24 acres will be developed in the first phase. The Government has allocated Rs. 750 million this year for infrastructure development.
Sri Lanka currently operates 33 industrial estates across the country, with seven more under development under the Regional Industrial Development Program, Dr. Jayatissa said.
