The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd was declared open on Yesterday, 07th of March in Mirijjawila, Hambantota by His Excellency Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
The opening ceremony was participated by a host of dignitaries including Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Finance Hon. Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Irrigation & State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs & Disaster Management Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination & Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology & Enterprise Development Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Ports & Shipping Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana, Minister of Trade Hon. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Energy Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, State Minister of Cooperative Services, Marketing Development & Consumer Protection Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Minister of Lands Hon. S M Chandrasena, State Minister of Aviation & Export Zones Development Hon. D V Chanaka and State Minister of Solar, Wind & Hydro Power Generation Projects Hon. Duminda Dissanayake.
The facility is situated across 63 acres and is a BOI venture that is expected to produce 2.8mn MT of cement per annum in Phase 1. The manufacturing plant incorporates many cutting-edge features such as the fully automated stacker reclaimer yard & 2 bridge type ship unloaders for efficient, waste-free and sustainable handling of cargo.
The investors are hopeful that this facility will be a major boost to the economy in terms of foreign revenue while empowering the local construction section by eliminating the shortage of cement triggered by the import ban put it place to mitigate LKR depreciation. The opening ceremony was followed by a tour of the facility for the VIPs in attendance.
In a statement, HE Gotabhaya Rajapaksa underscored: “Construction is a key contributor to the local GDP. Our construction sector has a competitive edge in the global context given its focus on technology, coupled with the emphasis on ethics & sustainability. We are certain this endeavour would serve to boost investor confidence which is a timely necessity.” He went on to state that the Hambantota EPZ was poised to attract investments of similar scale, especially pertaining to High Technology Products.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the Government was committed to empowering local entrepreneurship to propel the economy forward. He also asserted that he was confident Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd would uphold the rich legacy of the parent company, Ceylon Steel Corporation Limited, by providing quality products to the local and global markets through innovation.
Finance Minister Hon. Basil Rajapaksa noted that this facility would be a much-needed respite for the construction fraternity which was inconvenienced by the temporary ban on imports.
Chairman of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., Nandana Lokuwithana said he was confident the facility would offer a lifeline for the local construction industry at a time when its most needed: “We have expedited this project to ensure the local industry is not further crippled by the import limitations. What we offer is not just a solution to the shortage but a product that comes with a guarantee of quality, safety & durability.”
“This facility is the first and only of its kind not just locally but regionally as well. We possess the latest German technology coupled with unparalleled infrastructure, such as the 2.4km conveyor belt that runs between our facility & the Hambantota Port, to ensure every process is optimized for a superior output.”
Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd is a subsidiary of Ceylon Steel Corporation Limited (Lanwa) which is the country’s foremost manufacturer & exporter of steel rebars since the 1960s.