PERFORM PCR TESTS ON EMPLOYEES AT PRIVATE HOSPITALS: MARIKKAR

This is an economic burden to factories that were recovering from economic hardships

• Directing factories to obtain PCR tests from private hospitals result in hospitals earning exorbitant profits

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.m.marikkar yesterday brought to the notice of the House that the Board of Investment (BOI) in a letter had directed all factories in the country to perform PCR tests on 5 per cent of their staff per week from four private hospitals which would lead to a huge financial scam.

He told Parliament that there are over one million workers in BOI approved factories in the country and that accordingly, 50,000 workers would have to undergo PCR tests per week which would cost around Rs. 325 million per week.

“The BOI has named four private hospitals to perform these PCR tests. This is an economic burden to factories that were recovering from economic hardships it had faced due to COVID-19 epidemic.

And asked why the government was not offering to conduct the tests,” he questioned.