News
BOI to set up seven decentralised investment zones to stimulate regional economies
The Board of Investment (BOI) has announced plans to establish seven new investment zones across the country this year, aiming to accelerate regional economic growth, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and generate thousands of new employment opportunities.
BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath said
that the zones will be strategically located in the Northern, North Western, Eastern, and Southern Provinces, with a focus on sector-specific development.
Key Investment Zones and Focus Areas:
Kankesanthurai (Northern Province) – A sprawling 300-acre zone dedicated to apparel manufacturing and information technology (IT) projects.
Paranthan (Northern Province) – A 200-acre zone earmarked for chemical production and industrial manufacturing.
Mankulam (Northern Province) – Another 200-acre zone focused on agriculture and fisheries-based export industries.Iranavila (North Western Province) – Targeted for tourism-related investments.
Eravur (Eastern Province) – Designed to support local raw material production for the apparel sector, with new factories planned.
Hambantota (Southern Province) – Set to become a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.Chairman Herath said that these zones will not only decentralise investment flows but also stimulate regional economies, and reduce unemployment.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted their concurrence to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs to appoint S. Achchudan of Special Grade of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner of Elections at the Elections Commission who is
recommended by the panel of interviewers to the post of Director General of the Sports Development Department with effect form 01.01.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the draft bill of the National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and subsequently to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to provide tax relief on imported dates received as donations or gift for Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan fasting season is scheduled to begin on 19-02-2026 and end on 21-03-2026.
S. Achchudan appointed as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
Amendment of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980
Tax relief for Dates received as donations or gifts for Ramadan
Cabinet nod to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and innovation Authority
Temporary employment of Sri Lankan labour in the State of Israel
Cabinet approves liquidation of Sahasya Investment Company
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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