Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne has raised significant concerns in Parliament about the obstruction faced by Puttalam Ilmenite Ltd. (PIL) in accessing land owned by the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (SLCC). PIL has invested over $20 million over the past decade and is now facing hurdles that threaten a $100 million investment—the largest ever in Sri Lanka’s mineral sector.
In his Parliamentary inquiry, Wickramaratne has demanded written responses by August 7 from the Minister of Industries. He questioned the process through which SLCC entered into an agreement with Asha Minerals Ltd., alleging violations of the Mines and Minerals Act and the Intellectual Property Act. This agreement has reportedly deprived PIL of its investment rights, despite PIL having the necessary licenses before the deal with Asha Minerals was made.
Wickramaratne also raised issues about the lack of response to a letter from the Ministry of Industries dated May 23, 2023, and inquired about the status of PIL’s appeal submitted to the Finance Ministry on October 19, 2023. He sought clarification on why Finance Ministry directives issued on January 30, 2024, and March 11, 2024, were not followed and how the Ministry ensures SLCC’s compliance.
SLCC, initially under the State Ministry of Primary Industries and later moved to the Finance Ministry, has been criticized for not addressing PIL’s issues. Despite Treasury instructions, SLCC’s board, appointed by former State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, has failed to comply.
Wickramaratne noted that Asha Minerals, with a nominal share capital and owned by Tushan Fernando (allegedly related to ex-MP Susantha Punchinilame), lacks the required licenses from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). Nonetheless, Asha Minerals continues construction with SLCC’s facilitation.
In contrast, PIL, which includes reputable partners like Dilmah and boasts long-standing licenses from the GSMB, is being denied site access by SLCC, obstructing their substantial investment plans.