Dr sarath obeysekera 

A news item today indicates that police headquarters will be issuing curfew passes for employees of companies having 50 or more workers 

Having bitter experience with area police officers in obtaining a curfew pass for myself as a CEO o export-oriented shipbuilding industry, I  have to watch and see how new procedure can help the industry

I do not think that law enforcement officers have any idea about the fact that the. Companies who apply for permits and whether they are eligible for the permits 

When I sent a letter to obtain a curfew permit for one of my engineers who went to police in Galle  to get a curfew permit 

A police office in Galle had sent him to MOH of Galle and get his recommendation 

He went to MOH who had no clue about export-oriented business had bluntly told him that they give permission only for food transporters etc

He told my engineer to agree in writing that when he returns from Colombo after some days of work in our yard  he should be ready to go on quarantine for 21 days !!

The reason he cited was that Galle has been so far safe and he does not want Colombians” to spread Corona in the south !!!

The point I am trying to make is whether anyone in the government or police or health department understands the importance of earning foreign currency to the country to buy oil, food, medicines, etc

 I fervently hope the DIG  in charge is well conversant with the importance of earning foreign currency for the country and take positive action to revive the dying industries 

Dr Sarath Obeysekera
CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard
Colombo
Sri Lanka