CCC facilitates smooth operations for member firms
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has sought approval for member firms engaged in manufacturing food, medicine and personal hygiene items to continue their operations during the ongoing curfew.
“We have submitted a list of companies engaged in manufacturing food, medicine and personal hygiene items such as soap and sanitiser to continue their operations, to the National Operational Centre for Prevention of COVID -19, headed by Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva,” Manjula de Silva, Secretary General/CEO, CCC told the Business Times.
He said the approval is essentially sought to continue these firms’ operations, staff movement and deliveries.
He noted that some firms have got permission on their own from the authorities and the CCC stepped in to facilitate smooth operations for other member companies.
Transport of essential goods, including food varieties and vegetables to economic centres during curfew hours is made possible with permits, issued by the nearest police station.
Consumers are stocking up on all kinds of food, with an emphasis on staples and snacks, according to an official of a publicly-listed fast moving consumer goods company, saying that it is imperative to have a smooth operation for such companies.
With the curfew as people are being told to stay indoors and not socialise, the spike in consumer demand is necessitating the people who work throughout the consumer goods, food and medicine industries, starting from those in factories to staff in grocery stores to be on the ‘floor’ and to keep working.