📈 Pre-Budget 2027: President Reviews Industrial Progress & Institutional Consolidation

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a pre-Budget discussion to review the 2026 progress and 2027 Budget proposals for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. Key Highlights: • Industrial Zones: Reviewed infrastructure development (electricity, water, roads) and land allocation issues for upcoming zones in Dambulla, Ingiriya, Valachchenai, Millaniya, and Katunayake. • Institutional Consolidation: Plans are underway to merge overlapping state institutions to improve efficiency and reduce operational expenditures funded by taxpayers. • New Transformation Authority: Officials briefed the President on establishing the Entrepreneurship and Industry Transformation Authority (EITA) to streamline sectoral development. • State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): Highlighted alternative proposals to resolve deep-seated issues currently affecting the sugar and salt industries. • Exporter & Industrialist Support: The President directed officials to draft general concession proposals to support local industries and encourage export growth. The directive emphasized completing existing projects within timelines and identifying niche industrial areas where Sri Lanka can develop distinctive global expertise.