The National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC), established under the Presidential Secretariat with the objective of removing administrative and regulatory barriers between government institutions relating to investment and industry and expediting these processes, was opened this morning (22) under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The Centre has been established on the concept of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the aim of bringing about a positive transformation in the industrial sector. It will provide solutions to issues arising with the government machinery when starting and operating a business, while coordinating with relevant government institutions to provide the necessary facilities.

The “ViYASA” National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC) has been established at Building C-80, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Colombo 07. Senior Additional Secretary to the President Seevali Arukgoda serves as its head.

The official website of the Centre, nbfc.presidentsoffice.gov.lk, was also launched on the occasion.

- Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti

“Being able to open this Centre is a great encouragement for us. In particular, the establishment of an institution of this nature has been something that businesspeople and investors have expected from successive governments. From the day we began work at the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, this had become a request from all the chambers of commerce, exporters and entrepreneurs.

For the past two years, we have been working with plans to establish an institution of this nature. The Ministry of Industry is not an institution that works alone. We work together with all ministries and institutions.

One of the main problems we face is our inability to provide the facilities required by investors promptly.

Because of our political stability and the fairness of the law, Sri Lankans living overseas and foreign investors have brought investments into Sri Lanka. We have received a large number of requests.

The biggest problem faced by all of them is the issue of land. There is no centre that can clear land at the pace at which requests are being submitted. Various institutions have land under their purview. Some vacant land is subject to legal cases. These are the problems. Investors do not wait until the land is cleared. They move to alternative locations.

The next issue is the provision of financial facilities. There are problems there as well. Another major issue is the problems associated with Customs and simplifying those procedures.

These investors and entrepreneurs are no longer questioning taxation. They are prepared to pay taxes. There is now confidence among them that they will receive benefits in return. The problem is facilitating these processes. This institution will provide tremendous strength towards that end.

Using premises where ministers had been residing for a long period of time for a purpose such as this is a productive step. We consider this an affiliated institution supporting the Ministry of Industry. It is an independent institution operating under the supervision of the Secretary to the President.

Some people think that our foreign exchange earnings will decline next year. We will not allow that to happen. We are working to attract new investments in several sectors.

We are implementing the National Mineral Resources Policy to attract investment into the mineral resources sector, which has significant potential for new investment. We also have plans to develop Sri Lanka as an international gem and jewellery hub.”

- Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando

“With the mandate and responsibility given to our government, the economy will be a key pillar in taking this country towards transformation. Economic growth and economic development must be achieved in this process.

Over these past two years, we have moved forward by providing solutions to the problems faced by investors and businesspeople. There are a number of other challenges that we must overcome in the future.

In addressing all these matters, we must also remain mindful of global uncertainties. There are still uncertain conditions in the world at present. I must emphasise that we are constantly mindful of developments relating to foreign exchange, exports, import revenue and the financial sector.

What this process is doing is simply facilitating business. This is a good approach. Engage with us through this approach. There is a strong team here. I thank all of you for the effort that has been made. Let us all contribute towards creating a prosperous country.”

- Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake

“We are launching this National Business Facilitation Centre today by fulfilling one of the country’s greatest needs. This is a concept of the President. We know that this is a time when the country’s economy is expanding.

Therefore, if we are to further expand our economy, developing small and medium-sized enterprises has become an urgent need. Since the domestic market is subject to certain limitations, we must also focus on the export sector. Taking both these factors into consideration, we have designed the primary role and responsibility of the Business Facilitation Centre as a solution to these challenges.

This Business Facilitation Centre is not an ordinary One-Stop Shop. It is a centre that goes beyond that, bringing together a number of ministries and changing existing systems so that entrepreneurs can obtain solutions to their problems more easily.

We are working to provide entrepreneurs with the maximum possible service through effective coordination between the private and public sectors.”

Senior Additional Secretary to the President Seevali Arukgoda

“This Centre has been established on a concept of the President. When I was researching this, one thing I found was that, according to global indicators on the ease of starting and operating a business, Sri Lanka ranked 79th in 2025. Singapore was ranked first.

When we look at the sub-indicators, we can understand how much time it takes to acquire land and register a business. Our focus was therefore directed towards making these processes easier.

From today, we expect to commence all the activities of this Centre and make its services available to the public. Our objective is to support the economic transformation expected by the government.

The special feature of this Centre is that no one needs to come to this office. They can submit their issue from their home and provide the relevant documents. We will then work with the relevant government institutions on behalf of those entrepreneurs and take the necessary steps to resolve their issues.

If there are legal or policy-related issues that cannot be resolved, we expect to submit proposals to the government through the National Operations Committee of the National Business Facilitation Centre.

Through this, we seek to provide the facilities necessary for the creation of new businesses in the country, while also providing opportunities for existing businesses to expand further and continue their operations with greater ease.”

- Chairman of the KIK Business Group Lalith Kahatapitiya

“A dream that has existed for many years has become a reality today. We genuinely extend our gratitude and respect to the President for creating an institution of this nature. We must all make use of the opportunities provided through this institution.”

Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, ministry secretaries, heads of relevant institutions including the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and members of the business community were among those present at the occasion.