News
Dipped Products to relocate in Biyagama, start operations after CEA approval
Dipped Products PLC (DPL) has selected a land of six acres in the Biyagama industrial zone to relocate its factory which has been in the midst of much controversy in the last two months. Managing Director Dr. M. Ranasoma confirmed the land had been selected from several options given to his company by the Board of Investment.
“We have entered into negotiations. The valuation of the land and negotiations over the price will take place in the coming days,” he said. Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the company has agreed to relocate in the next three months.
“There will be a feasibility study done by the environment division in the zone and the report will be submitted to the Central Environmental Authority for approval. It is after this that the company will be given permission to start production,” the Minister told the Sunday Times.
The report on the tests conducted by the Institute of Technology (ITI) has been handed over to the Gamapaha District Secretariat. ITI chairman Prof. W. Abeywickrema said the District Secretary’s clearance must be received if and when the report could be made available to the public. When asked why the report has not been made public, Assistant District Secretary Sunil Jayalath said the report is being scrutinized by the Secretariat and would be amalgamated with other reports commissioned on the same issue.
“The report is with the District Secretary and there are a few more reports due from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) and the Central Environment Authority as well. After all reports have been received we will study them and release a comprehensive report to the public,” he said. Mr. Jayalath was unable to comment on the report which was handed over by the ITI as he said the matter was handled by the District Secretary who is overseas at the moment.
Dr. Ranasoma said the reports have not been made available to his company either. “Apart from the report submitted to courts by the Government Analyst we have not seen any other reports,” he said.
The company states that it has not resumed any production activities since it was halted on July 30. According to Dr. Ranasoma, the factory is currently carrying out only its non-production operations.
“The employees of the factory are still on our payroll and they will remain so until the matter is resolved. This is a huge cost to the company right now as the factory is not making any profits,” Dr. Ranasoma said adding that the company is losing orders to competitor countries such as Malaysia and China.
comments powered by Disqus