He was addressing a one day workshop held for SME Entrepreneurs held at the Kegalle Postal Auditorium. The workshop "One Stop Shop" was organized by the Industrial Development Board of Sri Lanka on the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The Minister expressed his satisfaction to have been able to commence the maiden workshop aimed at solving problems of SMEs, from Kegalle.

He noted that SMEs have been largely recognized as the backbone of the economy and play a significant role to generate employment, enhance quality of human resources, nurture a culture of entrepreneurship, support large scale industries and open new business opportunities. Therefore promoting a viable SME sector is essential in the nation’s stride towards broadening the sources of growth and sustaining the growth momentum, the Minister further emphasised.

The Minister further said that 39 Government and Non Governmental Organizations are present at the workshop and as such those attending the workshop will be able to get answers to their financial, infrastructure and legal problems.

Present on the occasion were Kegalle Government Agent H.M.Gamini Senevirathne, Industrial Development Board Chairman Mahinda Jinasena, Government officers, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in the Kegalle District.