Phase one of the Hambantota and Moneragala industrial zones gets underway
View(s):Sri Lanka will soon be establishing phase one of the Hambantota and Moneragala industrial zones acquiring necessary lands identified for the massive project, official sources said.
A decision has been taken by the government to issue instructions to implement the gazette notification dated 26 July 1999 published by the Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction in declaring development zones and issue instructions to stop all unauthorised activities in this region.
The alienation of such government lands have also been stopped with immediate effect.
Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister R. Paskaralingam will draft a cabinet memorandum on refineries to be built in the zone, a senior official said.
Several Chinese investors have stepped in to invest US$ 5 billion in the Hambantota Industrial Zone in the next few years and 55 of them have already committed to invest in the phase one zone, he disclosed.
Some 1,235 acres have been allocated from this zone in Hambantota for Chinese investments to set up industrial ventures. Areas where there are no human settlements will be used for the Industrial Zone.
Economic Zones covering Monaragala, Embilipitiya, Matara and, Hambantota areas will be established with the support of the the Chinese Government. This will be implemented under three phases in a land extent of 15,000 acres. Around 2,400 factories which generate nearly 400,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, especially for the younger generations are also expected to be established in this area within six years, he added. Meanwhile the proposed Hambantota industrial zone has no connection to the Hambantota port developments which have run into serious political issues. -(BS)