‘ViYASA’ National Business Facilitation Centre launched

The Government today launched the ‘ViYASA’ National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC), a new mechanism aimed at removing administrative and regulatory bottlenecks faced by investors and entrepreneurs, with authorities expressing confidence that the initiative would help accelerate investment, industrial growth and economic transformation.

The centre, established under the Presidential Secretariat on a concept of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was declared open this morning at Building C80, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Colombo 7, under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi, Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The NBFC has been established to coordinate with government institutions and provide solutions to issues encountered by businesses when starting and operating enterprises, while helping investors navigate administrative procedures more efficiently.

Addressing the event, Minister Handunneththi said the establishment of such a centre had long been sought by chambers of commerce, exporters and entrepreneurs, noting that one of the major challenges faced by investors was the inability to obtain approvals and services from multiple agencies in a timely manner.

He said land acquisition remained one of the biggest obstacles confronting investors, pointing out that land belonging to various institutions, legal disputes over properties and lengthy clearance procedures often discouraged investment. Investors, he noted, frequently moved to alternative destinations instead of waiting for such issues to be resolved.

The minister also highlighted difficulties relating to access to finance and customs-related procedures, adding that businesses were now more concerned about efficient facilitation rather than taxation. He said the new institution would play a key role in streamlining these processes and strengthening investor confidence.

Handunneththi further said the Government was pursuing new investments in several sectors and would implement the National Mineral Resources Policy to attract greater investment into the mineral resources sector. He also outlined plans to develop Sri Lanka into an international gem and jewellery hub.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said economic growth and development would be central to the Government’s efforts to transform the country, adding that authorities had spent the past two years addressing obstacles faced by investors and businesses.

He said while facilitating business activities was important, policymakers also remained attentive to global economic uncertainties and developments affecting foreign exchange, exports, import revenue and the financial sector.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake described the NBFC as a response to one of the country’s most pressing economic needs, particularly at a time when the economy was expanding.

He stressed the importance of developing small and medium-scale enterprises and strengthening the export sector, adding that the Business Facilitation Centre had been designed to address these priorities. According to him, the institution goes beyond the traditional “one-stop shop” model by bringing together multiple ministries and reforming existing systems to make it easier for entrepreneurs to obtain solutions to their problems.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President Seevali Arukgoda, who heads the centre, said the institution’s objective was to support the Government’s economic transformation agenda by simplifying processes involved in starting and operating businesses.

He noted that entrepreneurs would not be required to visit the office in person, as issues and supporting documents could be submitted remotely. The centre would then liaise with relevant government agencies on behalf of businesses and work towards resolving their concerns.

Arukgoda added that unresolved legal or policy-related matters would be referred to the National Operations Committee of the NBFC with recommendations for government action, while the centre would also help create a more conducive environment for new investments and business expansion.

The official website of the National Business Facilitation Centre, nbfc.presidentsoffice.gov.lk, was also launched at the event.