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Minuwangoda Brandix InQube to be closed

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Discussions are being made for the temporary closure of the InQube factory in Minuwangoda owned by the Brandix company, it was reported.

According to internal sources, there is a risk of nearly 1,000 employees losing jobs due to the closure of the factory.

The management of Brandix previously closed the factories located in Kahawatta and Welisara.

Meanwhile, industry sources said that Brandix Group Chief Executive Officer Ashroff Omar has recently told the media that the garment industry is facing frequent challenges and that there will be a major loss of jobs in the short and medium term.

The managers of garment factories in Sri Lanka closed down the factories citing lack of orders for garment products, and the instability of the US Dollar caused by the US economic crisis and Sri Lanka’s financial crisis.

In Asia, several factories owned by Brandix are located in countries like India, Bangladesh and Cambodia and they are said to be operating successfully.

The Brandix company founded in 1969 by M.H.Omar has been considered as one of the leading local organizations that have earned profits for more than five decades.

It is said that Mr. Omar received the foundation for this business through Martin Trust, a forward-looking businessman from the US, who is considered to be the father of the modern garment industry in Sri Lanka.

Brandix was established in 1969 with his support.

Then around 1972, Brandix became a group company with Omar Group.

Later, under the leadership of renowned businessman Deshmanya Ken Balendran, Brandix Company rose to the top of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.

Ashraf Omar is the Director and CEO of Brandix following the retirement of Mr. Balendran.

Brandix is also among the top companies in the list that have enjoyed GSP plus tax relief.

The European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is a system that allows exports from developing countries to the European Union to pay a minimum tariff or to be fully duty-free.

Mihintale MAS on life support

Meanwhile, MAS Holdings Group which has amassed a large amount of wealth for almost 36 years as one of the largest garment exporters in Sri Lanka has decided to temporarily close down its Mihintale factory for a period of 4 months from yesterday (10).

It was said that this month’s salary is the last salary given to the employees of the factory with all allowances.

In the coming months, the employees will receive only the basic salary.

It was reported that there is a plan to assign the skilled workers from the factory to the local and foreign factories owned by the company.

However, sources said that after the closure of this factory, nearly 1,000 people will lose their jobs.

Jobs still unsafe

When inquired, Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union Joint Secretary Anton Marcus said that the temporary closure of a factory directly affects the job safety of its employees.

Mr. Marcus said that when a factory is temporarily closed, only the basic salary is given to the employees.

“In addition to the basic salary, attendance allowance, incentive allowance and low-cost or free meals are also important for the employees,” he said.

If only the basic salary is paid after the closure of the factory, he said the employees will leave their jobs since they cannot live only on the basic allowance.

He said that this company implemented the same strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the number of employees without giving compensation.

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SL temporarily stops sending workers to Israel

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arundika Hemantha stated that Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended sending workers to Israel.
Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo today (June 16), the Deputy Minister said the decision was made as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

“This is a temporary suspension of sending workers to Israel for foreign employment. Depending on how the situation develops over the next few days, we will take further decisions,” he stated.

He also urged Sri Lankan citizens currently in Israel and Iran to stay in touch with the respective Sri Lankan embassies. “We have shared the necessary contact numbers, and if any Sri Lankan faces a difficult situation, they can reach out without hesitation. Our top priority is the safety of our citizens,” he added.

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SC hears contempt case against Ilukpitiya

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The contempt of court case filed against Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Illukpitiya, who is currently in remand custody, was taken up for hearing before the Supreme Court today (16).

The hearing was conducted before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

The first witness to give evidence was Supreme Court Registrar Aravinda Gunaratne. Under the direction of President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran—who is one of the petitioners—Registrar Gunaratne testified that three Fundamental Rights petitions are currently pending before the Supreme Court, challenging the electronic visa (e-Visa) issuance process. 

He stated that interim injunctions had been issued by the Court in this regard on August 2, 2023.

He further noted that the respondent, Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya, had subsequently filed an affidavit informing the Court of difficulties in implementing the said orders. 

Following testimony from officials of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, contempt of court charges were filed against Ilukpitiya for non-compliance.

Subsequent evidence was also recorded from a representative of Sri Lanka Mobitel, which was involved in the e-Visa issuance process.

During the proceedings, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing for the respondent, requested the Court to issue an order to summon several files from the Department of Immigration and Emigration relevant to the case. The bench granted the request and directed the Department to submit the files in a sealed envelope to the Court Registrar.

Accordingly, the hearing was adjourned until July 1.

Previously, the Supreme Court had issued an interim injunction ordering the reinstatement of the previous visa issuance system. This followed a decision made by the Cabinet under the former administration to transfer the e-Visa process to two private entities—an action now under legal scrutiny.

Harsha Illukpitiya was remanded on September 25, 2024, after being charged with contempt of court for failing to comply with the interim injunction. His bail application was subsequently denied.

The petitions were filed by former Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.A. Sumanthiran, and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and MP Rauff Hakeem.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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President’s Fund recognizes GCE A/L top achievers

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The President’s Fund has organized a provincial-level awards programme to honour outstanding students who excelled in the 2023/2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations at the district level.

Under this initiative, 60 top-performing students from each district selected based on exceptional results across all subject streams will receive financial scholarships and certificates of achievement. 

The selection process is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Examinations and the University Grants Commission (UGC), using official results published for the 2023/2024 exams.

The first phase of this programme will recognize distinguished students from the Northern Province who achieved top results in the 2023 A/L examinations. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Kilinochchi on June 22, 2025, with all preparations now finalized.

Accordingly, the exceptional students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya who performed remarkably in the 2023 GCE Advanced Level Examination will be honoured at the event.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to hold award ceremonies in the other provinces shortly as well.

(President’s Media Division)

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