26 July 2019 06:45 pm
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has instructed the Hayleys Free Zone Limited (HFZL) to re-export the remaining waste lying at the Hayleys Free Zone premises on or before August 12 2019.
The HFZL has processed and re-exported 29 containers - 25' x 20’ containers and 4' x 40’ containers while the remaining cargo is still lying at its premises.
However, the company said the 130 container-loads of used mattresses were imported by Ceylon Metal Processing Corporation (Pvt) Limited which is the actual owner of the cargo and confirmed that HFZL had no hand in the import of the cargo but was only involved in processing and re-exporting them.
The BOI has said, 'HFZL is engaged in separating the components of the used mattresses, sofas, etc, and compressing them for re-export to different manufacturing industries, which tantamount to resources recycling activity. As such, the BOI had on January 26, 2018 directed HFZL to:
1. Suspend all future shipments of used material with immediate effect;
2. Re-ship all such cargo within one-month;
3. Ensure that the cargo is not getting wet and infiltrated with surface or surface run-off to the surrounding areas;
4. Obtain prior approval from BOI for any value addition process to be performed;
5. Suspend import of all post-consumer waste/material without prior approval of the CEA'. (Sheain Fernandopulle)