FTZMA supports ocean plastic fight in Negombo

From left: Ganeshan Vasiharann of MAS Foundation for Change, MAS Foundation for Change Field Officer Dilip Alwis, Negombo Municipal Council Public Health Inspector H.A.U.K. Gunaratne, Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd PA to General Manager/CEO Diluka Dissanayake, Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd General Manager/CEO Chandani Ekanayake, FTZMA Chairman Dhammika Fernando, Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd Human Resource Manager Hemal Thilakaratne, MAS Foundation for Change Director Sharika Senanayake, FTZMA Secretary General Vasantha Dias, MAS Foundation for Change Grants and Partnership Associate Sugeetha De Silva and Tharushi Vasala of MAS Foundation for Change

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) together with its member company Amsafe Bridport announced the collaboration with MAS Foundation for Change. 

The third consecutive ‘ocean strainer’ was installed recently in Dehimalwatta Maha Canal. This was sponsored by one of the FTZMA’s member companies - M/S Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd.  

This quest to fully prevent nearly 800,000 kilograms of floating pollutants from reaching the ocean from Negombo is a collaboration with the MAS Foundation for Change. 

Together with the government authorities, the FTZMA and MAS Foundation for Change have set up an innovative ocean strainer project focusing on Negombo lagoon to capture and collect up to 70 percent of the marine waste and plastic material to prevent further pollution of lagoon water. 

In attendance at the event were FTZMA Chairman Dhammika Fernando, Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd General Manager/CEO Chandani Ekanayake, Negombo Municipal Council Public Health Inspector H.A.U.K. Gunaratne, Ganeshan Vasiharann of MAS Foundation for Change, MAS Foundation for Change Field Officer Dilip Alwis, Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd PA to General Manager Diluka Dissanayake, Amsafe Bridport (Pvt.) Ltd Human Resource Manager Hemal Tillakaratne, MAS Foundation for Change Executive Director Sharika Senanayake, FTZMA Secretary General Vasantha Dias, MAS Foundation for Change Grants and Partnerships Associate Sugeetha De Silva and Tharushi Wasala of MAS Foundation for Change. 

Fernando said, “Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, posing a significant threat to marine life, the ecosystem and human well-being due to microplastic poisoning. We are indeed excited to partner with our member Amsafe Bridport and MAS Foundation for Change once more.” 

Ekanayake said, “I am amazed by the passion and depth of understanding demonstrated by the MAS team. We are glad to partner with them in this worthy cause.” 

Senanayake said, “This effort was much appreciated by the community and local government authorities who supported us with the installation of the Ocean Strainers and subsequently keeping the canals clean.”