SLPA says all preventive measures taken to combat COVID-19 spread within Port

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday reiterated that it had taken all preventive measures to combat the spread of new coronavirus (COVID-19) within the Colombo Port. 

It categorically denied the false allegations expressed by All Ceylon Port Employees Union, through a media release based on a letter to the Chairman of SLPA, that there was no proper program to protect employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s Navigation and Operations Divisions from COVID-19.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the SLPA said as a responsible public institution it had taken all preventive measures to contain the situation, adding that all such steps had been implemented under the instructions of the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) General Daya Ratnayake. 

A committee has also been appointed with the initiative of SLPA Additional Managing Director Upali De Zoysa. Accordingly, all heads of divisions have been informed of the required preventive measures to be taken by each division of the institution. All facilities have also been offered to purchase required preventive health-related hygiene solutions, protective gear and other equipment.

Besides the two divisions mentioned, the institution has also taken all steps and measures to ensure the health security of all employees working in all other divisions of SLPA as well.  

“Therefore, at a time when all such measures  have been implemented aiming at health security of its staff, employees, port users and clients, SLPA strongly denies false and inaccurate information published by certain parties for narrow objectives against the reputation of the institution,” a statement said. 

It said at a time when the WHO had announced the COVID-19 pandemic which posed new challenges for everyone in the world, Sri Lanka and its institutions including the SLPA also had to face the situation with no difference.  

“The management of SLPA has therefore already instructed and guided all relevant parties with due preventive measures that should be utilised in order to prevent a hazardous health situation and also against any unpleasant health situation that could arise accordingly,” the statement added.

SLPA said up to now it had received a highly commendable helping hand for its COVID-19 preventive program from all parties including the port health services, Sri Lanka Navy, employees of SLPA and all other stakeholders. 

It is now implementing every preventive measure “even beyond and higher than the expected level against the prevailing health situation,” the statement said.