The Minister said so responding to a question raised by UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake.

The Minister said that the BOI was planning to release some of the lands for setting up of industries. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has launched a project to establish 300 new industries. There are many vacancies in the private sector, but people prefer to join public service though the starting salaries were around 20,000-30,000 rupees. (Special Reporter/HC)