The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) and Seethawaka Manaufacturers Association jointly organised the International Women’s Day at the Seethawaka Export Processing Zone, to honour the female workforce. The event was held at the auditorium of the Seethawaka Export Processing Zone and the chief guest was the famous author and former Secretary to the Women’s Affairs Ministry, Sumithra Rahubadda, BOI officials, representatives of enterprises, employees of enterprises, government officials and participants from local training schools were also present. The International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide on March 8 since 1975, when it was adopted by the United Nations. It is a focal point of the movement for women’s rights celebrated in many countries either as a public holiday, a day of protest or simply as a day to celebrate womenhood.
The Seethawaka Export Processing Zone (SEPZ) was completed in 1999 and vested in the BOI in 2001. Its total land area is 431 acres of which 183 acres are dedicated as an industrial area. At present there are 26 factories operating in the Zone from Hong Kong, the UK, the USA, Japan, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Belgium and Canada.
SEPZ is the 3rd largest Zone in terms of productivity and development. It also has the largest number of women workers. Ms Yasodhara Bogamuwa, Senior Deputy Director (SEPZ) stated “I am proud and privileged to head a zone where women dominate the workplace and also contribute immensely through work skills and creativity”. Investors are attracted to the Zone as it is only 47 km away from Colombo.