Mahinda Chinthanaya has taken industries to village - Minister Welgama

Industrial Development and Ranaviru Welfare Minister Kumara Welgama says that under the present Government they won’t allow any factory to be closed down.

The Minister said this at an employee meeting held after inspecting the Ul-Kameet Heavy metals products factory in Kandalama-Dambulla.

“This factory, which carries out production activities parallel to the Lanka Mineral Sands Company, is an asset to us. The Mineral Sands Corporation gets a large profit from things received from the sea.

That resource is a big strength to the economy of our country. During 1988 and 1989 this factory did not function. But now its production activities are at maximum. We have a good market. I think that the production capacity should be increased. The above target could be achieved by having new machinery and equipment in the factory”, Welgama said.

“Today, I inspected a factory like that. This is a private institution. But the Government got together with the private sector and established factories and acted for the development of the industrial sector. It was mentioned about a difficulty in obtaining raw materials for this institution,” he said.

“Mahinda Chinthanaya” has taken industries to the village which were restricted to Colombo and Gampaha in those days as a solution for the employment problem.

Under the present Government, we want to develop the village so we will not allow any factory to be closed. We would enlighten the Cabinet and take steps to provide the necessary raw materials. He said it was a happy feeling to see the village developing.”