The Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufactures - Oyamaduwa (CPMO), the local investors of the ‘Suwa Siri Pura’ pharmaceutical manufacturing zone in Anuradhapura, has requested the Board of Investment (BOI) top management to consider registering the Oyamaduwa area under the BOI. 

The ‘Suwa Siri Pura,’ pharmaceutical manufacturing zone in Oyamaduwa, is dedicated to manufacturing medicines, medical consumables, and devices with the vision to fulfil the country’s pharmaceutical needs by 2024/2025 and explore potential export opportunities. Once this zone is in full swing, it will cater to 50% to 60 % of the pharmaceutical needs of Sri Lanka, the BOI said.

This was requested during a meeting convened under the patronage of BOI Chairman Raja Edirisuriya, Director General Renuka M Weerakone, Executive Directors, and the representatives from the CPMO at the BOI headquarters.  

During the meeting, the CPMO investors highlighted the significance and advantage of obtaining BOI approvals, which will result in driving foreign direct investments into Sri Lanka. They also mentioned that the total investment of the project will be around LKR 40 Billion with 23 project plots out of which 11 plots have already been issued, the BOI said. 

The eleven companies which have been so far selected to set up manufacturing facilities with lands being allocated at the zone are, Maliban Bio Ventures (Pvt) Ltd, George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd, Luxus Medi Line (Pvt) Ltd, Epion Health Care (Pvt) Ltd, Nu Life Biotech (Pvt) Ltd, Premium International Biologics (Pvt) Ltd, Blue Ceylon Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Neolina Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Manchester Health care (Pvt) Ltd, Meditech (Pvt) Ltd, Nivarana (Pvt) Ltd, BOI said.

Most of the above are CPMO members, and the manufacturers from this zone will significantly contribute to Sri Lanka's self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals. The State Ministry of Production, Supply & Regulation of Pharmaceuticals has awarded the development and management of the said zone to Spectrum Pharmatech Lanka Pvt Ltd, the BOI added.

BOI Chairman Raja Edirisuriya spoke positively about the matter and congratulated the CPMO for being the local partner of the pharmaceutical manufacturing zone in Oyamaduwa, and commended the impressive effort in attracting 11 investors to invest in the zone, the press release said. 

Meanwhile, BOI Director General Renuka M Weerakone mentioned, “The BOI looks forward to facilitating both foreign and local investors and assures you of the continued support for investments in the country,”