Inspector General of Police CD Wickramaratne has requested the Director General of Health Services to grant permission to re-open bookstores despite the imposition of travel restrictions.
The recommendation was made based on a written request of the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association Samantha Indeewara Samarasinghe.
The Association has pointed out that since bookstores are closed sporadically over the past one and half years, publishers and operators are facing difficulties to pay salaries, allowances and building rents.
Secretary Samarasinghe has claimed that the book industry is in grave danger due to closures.
Through the letter he has also claimed that the children are adversely affected since bookstores are closed for a lengthy period of time.
The Association said without books, students cannot even follow online less.
Therefore the association has requested the IGP to grant permission to reopen bookstores under the supervision of Public Health Inspectors.
