Malik Samarawickrama, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister has issues a statement rejecting claims made by Minister Rajitha Senaratne with regard to the Horana Tyre factory.

He stated that informed both the President and the Prime Minister about the investor of the factory well in advance.

“Both the President and the Prime Minister were aware of the investor since I, myself informed them well in advance,” he added.

“The statement that Minister Rajitha made that land was given for Rs.100/- per Acre is incorrect.

In fact, the Government Chief Valuer had valued the land at Rs. 170,825,000/- and the investor has agreed to pay the total amount upfront.”

“The Chief Valuer has also indicated that a further Rs. 10,000/- be charged as an annual nominal fee,” he added.

The 100 acre land at Horana, Wagawaththa Industrial Zone is a bare undeveloped land undulating in most areas.

Based on the technical investigations done by Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau (CECB), it is noted that the investor has to incur a sum of about Rs.300 to 400 Mn as per the estimate to bring the land to a usable state.