The company has offered to make a presentation of 2,000 Blocks of the pesticide valued at over Rs.1.6 million free to Sri Lanka as a donation to combat the dengue menace. ZERO-MOX Director Iwasita has written to Dr. Wijesekera of the Pesticide Authority in Peradeniya, stating that this business would only be given to Japan-Lanka Friendship Co. Pvt. Limited headed by B. G. Herath Banda to issue the import license.

Dr. Wijesekere said the company also promised to donate 2,000 blocks of ZERO-MOX if the import license was issued.

Herath Banda said he could understand why the health authorities were strict in allowing this pesticide to Sri Lanka when certain products containing chemicals much harmful to human beings had been allowed free importation to the country without any restriction.

He said that he would take the initiative to open a factory to manufacture ZERO-MOX locally if the pesticide was allowed to be imported to be given free by manufacturers and test its effectiveness by applying at a few identified places where the dengue mosquito menace is widely spread before making a decision in allowing the pesticide to be imported into Sri Lanka, Herath Banda said.