The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka plans to open land reservations for investors at the proposed Paranthan Export Processing Zone by the end of November 2026, with infrastructure development at Paranthan and Kankesanthurai (KKS) due to begin in early January 2027.
The timelines emerged during a visit to the Northern Province by BOI Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa and Director General Dr Sulakshana Jayawardena, who met government officials, regional administrators and investors.
Meetings at both sites
At Paranthan, the delegation met the Kilinochchi District Secretary, the Paranthan Divisional Secretary, the Coordinating Secretary to Minister Bimal Rathnayaka, and officials from the Road Development Authority, the Provincial Road Development Authority, the Railway Department and Electricity Distribution Ltd.
A similar timeline was agreed for the Kankesanthurai zone at a meeting held at the Tellippalai Divisional Secretariat, attended by the Jaffna District Secretary and the Chairman of the Cement Corporation, among others.
Investor concerns
Investors told the delegation they wanted clearer and more consistent procedures for land valuation and allocation, faster approvals from government agencies and better coordination among state institutions.
In response, Mr Hulangamuwa proposed a single-point coordination mechanism to follow investor issues through to resolution. He also asked Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan to support a Single-Point Investor Facilitation Centre in the province.
He further proposed a regional manpower database recording the qualifications and skills of the Northern workforce, to help investors find suitable employees.
The BOI will also organise an investment promotion and familiarisation visit in November 2026 for leading investors and investor associations.
