Donation by FTZMA in helping to slow down the…

Free Trade Zone Manufactures’ Association (FTZMA) has donated Bed Sheets, Pillowcases, Soaps, Toothpastes and Water Bottles to the health department in Gampaha division in assisting COVID-19 patients. The donation was made by the Chairman Mr Jatinder Biala and Hon Secretary Mr Dhammika Fernando at their secretariat yesterday to Dr Aruna Plaitha Sampath – Director/E&OH Gampaha Division with the patronage of Director-KEPZ of BOI Mr Sisil Fernando.

FTZMA has been always actively contributing their fair share during calamities and disaster in helping the employee community and this instance also is part of the association’s responsibility to be good co-operate citizen, FTZMA is proud to partner with the National health authorities and has pledged its support to the impacted communities in the surrounding areas of KEPZ, BEPZ, Malwatte Industrial Park, Wathupitiwela Zone and Mirigama zone which are coming under their purview.

FTZMA as an active member of the COVID Task Force team has continued to pledge its support & commitment with its members to the resilient response initiatives taken by BOI, Health Authorities and Security forces in curbing & combating the spread of pandemic the employees of all our BOI EPZs around the country.

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association stands by Brandix

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association Chairman Jatinder Biala and Honorary Secretary Dhammika Fernando yesterday issued the following statement:

“It has become evident followed by the incident that a 39-year-old woman from Brandix factory in Minuwangoda had been detected as infected with coronavirus, we have seen a few media and social media stories doing the rounds vilifying the organisation with unfounded allegations.

“The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) is of the view that Brandix being a member of our association is one of the best and leading apparel exporters. A proud Sri Lankan investment should not be victimised and maligned for spreading the virus at this juncture creating a public stigma. A similar situation could occur at any of our member enterprises in the country. 

“We wish to state that the authorities and the general public shall not penalise and shall be devoid of discrediting Brandix unduly, which has been following proper health and safety guidelines recommended by the Epidemiology Unit of Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

“Further, we the FTZMA, as a responsible association, had taken various steps throughout the pandemic situation as an active industry chamber and helped the health and law enforcement authorities to overcome various challenges at the initial stage to start operations (whilst adhering to all health and safety regulations) of our member enterprises as early as late March, helping the national economy by bringing in valuable foreign exchange when it needed it the most through our exports earnings. 

“Therefore, FTZMA wishes to convey their serious concern of this situation and would like to assist authorities to curb and control it, moreover such incidents may have already put financial stress to the employers of Brandix Fast Fashion and also its employees, so we all should support the company to overcome the current situation which is quite unfortunate.

“Whilst thanking the health authorities for the swift action taken to contain the Minuwangoda cluster, we once again express our solidarity with the Brandix Group.”

Urgent and Important Notice to FTZMA Members and enterprises…

Followed by the COVID-19 outbreak happened in Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda and Veyangoda areas, we urge our
member enterprises to be extra careful as there could be a tendency in transmitting this virus from through many
possible means to the employees of other enterprises of BOI EPZs and of outside. This being said, we request all our members to strictly abide by the health guide lines issued by the Epidemiology Unit of Ministry of Health & Indigenous Medical Services which were previously circulated by the association.
In short, we expect you all to:

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