Sri Lanka’s premier Cement producer, Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd also known as INSEE Cement is celebrating another proud milestone in the company’s history when its manufacturing plant in Puttalam reaches 50 years. The Puttalam Cement Plant has proved to be an important strategic investment contributing to INSEE Cement’s role as Sri Lanka’s only fully integrated manufacturer of cement.
The Puttalam Cement Plant was set up under the Factories Act of Parliament in 1969 at a time when, clinker was brought to the grinding plant in small quantities by train. INSEE Cement’s Chief Executive Officer Nandana Ekanayake commented proudly: “We produce the country’s most preferred cement brands ‘Sanstha’ and ‘Mahaweli Marine Plus’ that have the highest market share and largest customer-base in the cement industry in Sri Lanka. As the premier cement supplier, our products are much-needed resource for the nation’s important development projects that is contributing to the growth and prosperity of the country. We are proud to supply cement for building of highways, ports, airports, dams, bridges, and high-rise buildings.”
He further added, “Our Puttalam Cement Plant impacts over 10,000 stakeholders both directly and indirectly, in and around Puttalam area. The quality of our cement is a high priority, ensuring strict compliance with the local and British standards; quality control and quality assurance is instrumental in our cement manufacturing process. We believe in supporting the local community and employees by ensuring an environmentally-sound and safe workplace for all.”
In 2017 the Company spearheaded the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the INSEE Enterprise based Vocational Education (EVE) training center and the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA). Under this programme, students in the Puttalam area receive National Vocational Qualification Level 4 further proffering lessons in English language and Information Technology along with relevant subjects including pneumatics, hydraulics, lathe/milling and Auto CAD. The project was initiated in 2007 and up-to-date has trained 222 students.
Nandana Ekanayake also stated, “We take pride in empowering our youth in the Puttalam area by giving them outstanding technical skills – a first step towards building independence and a sustainable livelihood. This will enhance their educational levels, increase their employability and give them a stable career path. The initiative will help to develop future technicians for the nation. At INSEE Cement we strongly believe in enriching the community particularly in areas where we do business.” The initiative has undoubtedly uplifted the living standards of the youth in Puttalam and has inspired them to develop to their full potential.
INSEE Cement or Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd., is a member of the Siam City Cement Public Company Ltd. (SCCC), a leading cement manufacturer in Southeast Asia, founded in 1969 in Thailand. The company, INSEE Cement, manufactures INSEE-branded superior blended cements Sanstha, Mahaweli Marine Plus, INSEE Rapid Flow Plus and INSEE Extra cement. INSEE Cement is the first certified ‘Green Cement’ product in Sri Lanka with the Green Labelling certification awarded by the Green Building Council.
Achieving many vital milestones and nostalgic experiences, the Puttalam Cement Plant has been in the hearts and minds of our people for five decades – sharing the same purpose within the INSEE family in building the nation.