The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has denied imposing any export restrictions on a Singapore‐based manufacturing company, responding to public allegations that its operations in Sri Lanka were obstructed.

Issuing a statement, BOI officials clarified that no formal export bans or restrictions have been placed on the firm Honour Global Singapore.

The company in question, which was approved in December 2023 to produce and export certain products, remains fully authorized to continue its export activities, the BOI said.

However, the BOI emphasized that Sri Lanka, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), adheres to the global rules‑based trading system. Under WTO obligations, member countries may investigate and apply trade remedies, such as anti‑dumping or countervailing duties, if domestic industries are threatened by unfairly subsidized or under‑priced imports.

BOI confirmed that discussions with the company, the Department of Commerce, and the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security centered on ensuring compliance with these WTO‑mandated trade safeguards, not on imposing restrictions.

The BOI’s clarification comes after the Singaporean company that had invested in a foam mattress manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka said it is considering shutting down operations, accusing the BOI of obstructing its operations.

Addressing the media, representatives of Honour Global Industries said permission was sought for the factory to annually manufacture around 2.5 million foam mattresses in Sri Lanka and export to various other countries, but some time after receiving the necessary approval in March 2024, the BOI had informed in writing that exports to the USA will be restricted to 50,000 mattresses per year. 

“We cannot operate a factory for such a small number of mattresses. Both the BOI and the Monetary Board have been dragging this matter for the last six months. Almost 500 employees face losing their jobs due to this situation,” they added. (Newswire)

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The Parliament of Sri Lanka has refuted media reports being circulated on the incident of two pillows and a mattress being found in a Parliamentary Committee room recently. 

Issuing a statement, the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said that the said media reports are completely false.

Rohanadeera further stated that a committee consisting of three senior officials has been appointed to conduct a preliminary investigation into the reports published in the media on July 30, 2023, and along the said date, regarding the Housekeeping Department of Parliament and an investigation is already underway.

At present, an officer who has been accused of the aforesaid issue has been suspended, and the Parliamentary staff have been given the opportunity to meet the relevant committee members personally or to inform them about the related matters through telephone or e-mail, she said.

Rohanadeera also stated that an internal circular has been circulated that information can be submitted to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary General of the Parliament in addition to the relevant committee members.

She emphasized that investigations by the relevant committees are being carried out impartially and if an allegation against any officer is confirmed, strict action will be taken against them. (NewsWire)

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