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Thursday, 22 October 2020 04:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
The Government yesterday assured that all five export processing zones (EPZs) within Gampaha District will be operational with safety guidelines, despite the quarantine curfew imposed within the area until next Monday.
“The Board of Investment (BOI) approved enterprises within the Gampaha District will continue its operations as usual.
The employees will be issued with special passes to reach the zones. However, those in the 196 Grama Seva Divisions of Minuwangoda, Divulapitiya, Veyangoda, Attanagalla and Mirigama will not be permitted in the zones,” a top official at the BOI told the Daily FT.
Gampaha District has the highest number of investment zones, which comprise of Katunayake, Biyagama, Mirigama, Wathupitiwala and Malwatte.
It was also noted that nearly 14,000 PCR tests have been done on employees of 158 factories within EPZs alone as of yesterday morning, while around 18,000 PCR tests have been conducted within the past few days.
Accordingly, from 8-20 October a total of 12,399 PCR tests have been done on employees of BOI-approved enterprises within the EPZs, where 1,996 test results are pending, with 316 of the total tests results positive. Of the 316 cases, 314 employees are from the Katunayake EPZ and two from the Biyagama EPZ.
The Government expedited the PCR tests in accordance with the health authorities within the zones and outside following the second wave of COVID-19 in the country. During the weekend over 15,000 PCR tests were conducted, where 10,000 were within EPZs and 5,000 outside of the zones.
“PCR tests were done on workers in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines,” sources said.
It was noted that the tests were conducted to ensure the safety of the workforce as well as to continue the production process. Additionally, all HR departments of the BOI factories have been instructed to update bio data of all their workers.
Early this week the Export Zones Development State Ministry in a statement said that it is focused on saving the country from the threat of COVID-19 as well as maintaining economic stability.
Last year, Sri Lanka generated $ 11.9 billion export revenue and 70% of it has been through the enterprises which are under the BOI purview. Sri Lanka has 14 EPZs countrywide with 285 enterprises employing 143,500 workers.
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka is in the process of issuing the required curfew passes. The required details can be obtained through www.investsrilanka.com.
