Srilanka, May 21 -- Over 1,400 workers have been abruptly left unemployed following the sudden shutdown of the NEXT garment factory in Sri Lanka's Katunayake Free Trade Zone. Employees say they were notified via WhatsApp late on May 19 that the factory would be closing with immediate effect.Sri Lankan tourism

The factory, a major employer that had operated for nearly four decades, cited mounting operational costs and ongoing financial losses as the primary reasons for the closure. In a company statement, it was revealed that 1,416 out of the factory's total 2,825 employees were affected, while workers at other locations would retain their positions.

Though the company has proposed a severance package that includes two months' salary, t...