'Don't lay off workers due to the pandemic,' PM requests businesses

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested all industrialists and the business community to face the challenges that arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic without laying off workers.

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association and the Sri Lanka Retailers' Association at the meeting with the Prime Minister had pointed out issues about securing bank loans, opening Letters of Credit, vaccination of apparel sector workers as well the opening of textile shops in accordance to the COVID-19 guidelines.

The representatives of the trade bodies noted that their businesses have been experiencing difficulties for almost 02 years as a result of the 2019 April 21st Attacks followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They requested the Prime Minister to permit emergency relief via the Finance Ministry to continue their business operations.

The trade representatives had pointed that they are left with no other option except for laying off workers as it has become impossible to continue business operations while having workers in the present situation.