Lengthy to-do-list for appointees given new remit

Newly-appointed ministers this week spelt out their plans.

Among the highlights were incentives to attract more tourists, a proposed ban on importing pepper, and the resumption of stalled projects.

The Minister of Industrial Exports & Investment Promotions, Tourism & Aviation, Prasanna Ranatunga, told the Sunday Times that his priority is to revive tourism and draw more investments.

Mr Ranatunga said he would also promote investments by developing infrastructure and giving them relief periods to develop foreign invested business.

More funds will be sought to develop industries and improve the quality of exports to ensure that exports generate foreign exchange.

The Minister of Plantations & Export Agriculture, Ramesh Pathirana, said his priority is tea, coconut and rubber.

“We will ban imports of tea, rubber and pepper. We will also exempt the plantation

industry from income tax,” he said.

Mr Pathirana said the cultivation of three export crops will be promoted and issues that the farmers face during cultivation will be resolved.

“Exports would be given special attention. Special attention would be given to the quality of tea exports. The problems of tea estates would be looked into and solutions will be found by working along with estate superintendents,” he said.

Adulteration of tea products would not be tolerated, he said.

The State Minister of Water

Supply Facilities, Vasudeva Nanayakkara said he aimed to complete the projects carried out by the earlier government before the end of the year.

“My first priority is to end all the projects that needed to be completed within this year,’’ he said.

He said that he will attend his first official event, International Water Association’s Water Development Congress exhibition on Sunday, December 1, at B a n d a r a n a i ke Memorial International Conference hall.

The Minister of Information & Communications Technology, Higher Education,

Technology & Innovations, Bandula Gunawardana, said the government would ensure media freedom to private and state media.

“I will not encourage intimidation, threats and inconvenience to the media and journalists.’’

The Minister of Mahaweli Development, Agriculture & Trade, as well as state minister of defense, Chamal Rajapaksa, promised to reduce wastage.

“I also talked with the general secretary of the parliament and we discussed taking back the original agriculture ministry building adjoining the speaker’s house at Battaramulla.’’

The State Minister of Roads Development, Lohan Ratwatte said during the past five years projects had been stopped half way. These projects will be completed.

The State Minister of Power, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, said that during the past four years the ministry has failed to provide a single unit of electricity.

“We have closed the doors in the ministry for corrupt officials. We will not allow corruption nor encourage it,’’ he assured.