The export processing zones functioning under the purview of the Sri Lanka Board of Investment (BOI) play a critical role in Sri Lanka’s economic development. Approximately 145,000 employees work at 285 enterprises across the fourteen (14) export processing zones island-wide.
Enhancing the firefighting capacity in these zones has been identified as crucial to ensuring the safety of employees and properties. Therefore, under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme, a grant of 300 million Japanese Yen (approximately LKR 590 million) has been provided to procure four firefighting vehicles, each with a 4000L water tank capacity, and 12 sets of equipment for the Katunayake, Biyagama, Seethawaka, and Wathupitiwala EPZs. This assistance will significantly boost investor confidence, and the prompt emergency response from these units will help protect workers and properties, minimizing losses.