News

BOI director says situation improving

Published

4 years ago

2020/10/31

The Board of Investment Director General Sanjaya Mohottala stated that more than 26,500 PCR tests have been carried out in the factories under the purview of BOI between Oct 8 and 28.

A statement issued by the BOI states that 16,527 PCRs had been done in the 14 Investment Promotion Zones and are awaiting results of another 495 tests. 423 COVID-19 infected patients have been identified with these tests out of which 411 from the Katunayake Zone and 12 from Biyagama Zone.

No cases have been reported thus far from the other 12 zones. Proper health and safety precautions are strictly adhered to in all the places including the houses, hostels, transportation and inside the factories in addition to constant reminders and workshops on workplace safety and health precautions. 7708 PCR tests have been done in 69 factories inside the Katunayake Zone. 3981 tests have been concluded in 48 factories in Biyagama. PCR tests have been done in all other zones as well.

Mohottala further states that more PCR tests will be done in accordance to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health.

There are 1615 factories which are under the BOI purview which are situated outside the Investment Zones. And 10,051 PCR tests have been done in these factories as well during this period of time.

Mr Mohottala commenting on COVID infected workers states: “…considering our zones, there is 411 from Katunayake and 12 from Biyagama but there seems to be a decline. And outside of the Zones from Gampaha District where the initial outbreak started there have been 1003 from our factories and 53 from the factories in Colombo District, three from Kurunegala District and one from Hambanthota.” He adds that all factories in general are strictly adhering to health and safety guidelines and the BOI Sri Lanka is upholding the relevant regulations

There are 1615 factories which are registered under the BOI Sri Lanka which are dispersed all over the 25 districts of the island. Around six hundred thousand are employed in these factories. And another hundred and thirty-three thousand are contributing to the production process inside the 14 Investment Zones. And other millions make their bread through the indirect employments provided via these factories. More than 70% of the export income is provided by this workforce.

The government owes a debt of gratitude to all the MOHs, PHIs, security forces, divisional secretaries, investors and staff, Navy unit attached to the Katunayake Zone and also the staff of BOI Sri Lanka going above and beyond their work description providing a holistic effort in controlling the spread of the second wave. If not for their excellent service and devotion the situation could have been very much worse.

In the prevailing global pandemic, to continue the national economy humming steadily, the production process must be carried out continuously. Mohottala concludes that he hopes that considering it as a duty of the nation, all the relevant parties would continue to adhere to health and safety guidelines and giving the necessary support, fulfilling the citizens’ responsibility.

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.