Japan to donate 8 fire engines to EPZs

The Government of Japan has decided to provide eight fire engines along with firefighting equipment to Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Katunayake, Biyagama, Seethawaka and Wathupitiwala, where more than 100,000 employees are working. 

The equipment donated by local governments in Japan will be utilised for the safety not only in EPZs but also in their adjacent areas.

The grant contract for “The Project for Upgrading Fire Units in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) of Sri Lanka” amounting $ 90,778 (approx. Rs. 14.1million) under the scheme “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Securities Project” was signed on 20 March at Board of Investment of Sri Lanka head office in Colombo, between Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma and BOI Director General Duminda Ariyasinghe.

Ariyasinghe mentioned, “The BOI acts as the first point of contact for investors who intend to set up projects in manufacturing, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, IT related services or another chosen sector in Sri Lanka. To ensure safety and security of the people in the BOI Zones, BOI Fire Units are based in Katunayake, Biyagama, Seethawaka and Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zones. Every effort is made to provide a secured working environment for a considerable number of workers and factories located within these zones. In the year 2014, BOI received five fire fighting vehicles from the government of Japan, which are now used in several EPZs. Through this new project, in which we receive another set of 8 reconditioned Fire Engines, BOI could enhance the fire units at BOI export processing as well as factories outside the zones. We thank the Government of Japan.”