BOI Chief calls on EPZ employees not to abuse travel passes

• Says ensuring health of employees, uninterrupted manufacturing at EPZs remains top priority 
• Uninterrupted operations reflect satisfactory export earnings
• Spread of COVID-19 within Katunayake, Biyagama, Seethawaka under control

The Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala yesterday called on all Export Processing Zone (EPZ) employees to extend their support to curb the spread of the COVID-19, without misusing Government-provided travel passes during lockdown.

He said the Government issued travel passes to all the factories functioning in BOI EPZs and outside to ensure uninterrupted operations in export-oriented production manufacturing. The employees can use their private vehicles or the transport provided by the relevant companies to travel during the travel restriction period.

“Strictly adhere to the health and safety guidelines without misusing the travel passes provided,” Mohottala requested during a visit to the newly established COVID-10 intermediate care centre (ICC) in Katunayake EPZ.

The centre was established in the buildings of the Crystal Martin Company which is closed. The company has donated 100 beds for this project. The Free Trade Manufacturing Association of Sri Lanka and the Youth Council have also provided beds for this centre which is functioning under the close medical supervision of Negombo Hospital.

Mohottala said as the virus seems to be more contagious in the third wave than it was in the first and second wave and stressed that ensuring the employees’ safety and uninterrupted manufacturing operations at EPZs remain top priority.

“Each and every employee has a responsibility to be mindful not to bring the virus from home to the factories or from the factories to their homes. Individual responsibility is crucial to curb the spread of the virus,” he added.

Katunayake, Biyagama and Seethawaka EPZs are functioning uninterrupted which helps to keep the export earnings at a satisfactory level. 

“The spread of COVID-19 in these zones has been brought under control,” Mohottala said.