President informed of Police ordering factory closures

Board of Investment Chairman Susantha Ratnayake

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was yesterday informed that the Police were ordering the closure of at least two export manufacturing plants on the grounds that the Government had declared a special holiday for three days. 

Board of Investment Chairman Susantha Ratnayake told the COVID-2019 National Task Force meeting chaired by the President that the two factories located at Kahathuduwa and Mullaitivu belonged to the Hirdaramani Group. Ratnayake said that it was important not to stifle export manufacturing units if the employees and management were willing to keep those operating despite special holidays being declared. 

President Rajapaksa was visibly shocked by the revelation and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva clarified that no such closure orders had been given nor had the Police enforced them.