• Out of 1,500 workers in the factory, 238 were identified as COVID-19 patients from recent PCR tests
• The factory is operated on daily shifts, despite instructions given by the PHIs on several occasions
• He had provided false information on first level associates

By D. G. Sugathapala – Unawatuna 

Galle Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana ordered the apparel factory Manager who provided false information on first level associates and made way for the spread of the virus by violating the quarantine regulations to be remanded until May 31.  He was the manager of an apparel factory in Koggala Free Trade Zone.  

Bringing the suspect before the court, the Public Health Inspectors said that out of 1,500 workers in the apparel factory, 238 were identified as COVID- 19 patients from recent PCR tests and thereafter 733 close associates were placed in quarantine. The factory is operated on daily shifts and according to a complaint, despite the instructions given by the Public Health Inspectors on several occasions, the factory Manager has allowed the spread of COVID-19 by withholding the details of close associates. A case has been filed against the defendant under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No 03 of 1897. PHI E. P. S. Jayasiri and Achintha Samarasinghe from Habaraduwa area and PHI Chirantha Guruge of Galle MC have carried out investigations.

• Case filed against the defendant under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance