Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake says the government has proved that it is not “anti-business,” despite concerns and criticism expressed before the administration came to power.
Rathnayake said various claims had been made about the government’s economic approach before it took office, including suggestions that it would be hostile towards the private sector and businesses.
However, he said the situation had changed, with a large section of Sri Lanka’s business community now willing to work with the government.
“I think today a majority of the businessmen in our country are working with this government without hesitation,” Rathnayake said.
The minister urged businesses to explore emerging investment opportunities instead of limiting themselves to their existing sectors, saying opportunities would be available for large companies as well as small and medium-sized businesses.
He also assured the business community that political connections were not required to pursue such opportunities.
“Don’t be afraid to get involved in this. You don’t need friendships or connections,” he said.
Rathnayake identified transport and logistics as areas with significant potential for investment and development, describing Sri Lanka’s logistics sector as particularly weak.
He said the cost of moving locally produced goods to consumers remained high due to shortcomings including inadequate warehousing facilities, road-related issues and the limited use of the railway network for freight transportation.
The minister questioned why Sri Lanka continued to rely heavily on roads to transport goods when the railway network could be used more effectively for freight, including containers and bulk materials.
Rathnayake said greater use of rail freight would require supporting infrastructure, including terminals and loading and unloading facilities.
He acknowledged that reforming the Railway Department would be challenging due to its long-established structure, but said changes were necessary to modernise the transport sector and improve the country’s logistics network.
Rathnayake also acknowledged that businesses and the general public were facing a significant tax burden, saying discussions were underway within the government on providing some relief in 2027.
“We know there is a certain tax burden on businesses as well as the general public. The President and the Cabinet are discussing, both formally and informally, how we can provide some tax relief to businesses and ordinary people during 2027,” he said.
He indicated that easing the tax burden was among the issues being considered by the government for next year. (Newswire)
