Gang raids garment factory, assaults Omani national: Apparel Association , NFF demand action against culprits

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday (02) alleged that a gang of persons with links to a ruling party politician representing the Gampaha District had carried out an attack on a garment factory at Halpe, Katana owned by an Omani company.

Weerawansa demanded that the State Minister concerned be arrested as the attackers had operated with his blessings. According to the former minister, the gang raided the factory after the top management refused to lease a vehicle belonging to a close associate of the State Minister.

Weerawansa said that at a time Sri Lanka was struggling to attract ninvestment, the government members were driving investers away.In response to The Island query, the Foreign Ministry said that upto noon yesterday its Oman Desk hadn’t received a complaint in this regard. The official said that they were aware of the incident.

The Joint Apparel Association, in a statement issued over the weekend demanded action against those responsible without delay.

The following is the text of the statement dated April 01: On Thursday (30th March 2023), a group of individuals launched a vicious and heinous attack on the Managing Director and a security official of an apparel factory in Halpe, Katana. The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) vehemently condemns this cowardly attack and calls for an impartial investigation and swift legal action from the officials in charge.

The victims of the assault were reported to have sustained injuries after a group illegally entered the factory and broke into the residence of the Managing Director, an Omani national, who is currently on an observation visit to Sri Lanka. The factory, which is an SME (small and medium sized enterprise), provides employment to over 300 individuals.

As the apex body of the apparel industry, we condemn such acts of violence. We call on law enforcement authorities to act swiftly and take prompt action to uphold the rule of law and bring the instigators of this attack into custody. We empathize with those affected by the incident and request that the matter be allowed to reach a peaceful resolution in accordance with the laws of the land.”