KKS Cement Factory to resume operations, Sri Lanka

THe Kankesanthurei Cement Factory (KKS), Sri Lanka’s oldest cement plant, will resume operations before year-end under a programme to revive state ventures, according to Dr Willy Gamage State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary

In a interview with the Sri Lanka Sunday Observer, Mr Gamage and SJ Paranagama, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (SLCC) discussed the project’s progress.

Presently, there are two projects in the pipeline: one is the establishment of a cement packing plant which will be launched shortly. At a total cost of SLR800m, the facility will have a capacity to pack 2600 bags per hour. The second project involves the recommissioning of the cement plant which will “restore the past glory of the corporation,” the executives stated. Both projects are scheduled to begin this year.

The demand for cement in Sri Lanka is increasing rapidly due to new infrastructure projects launched by the government and the private sector in the conflict-affected areas in the North and the East. The new housing development program also needs cement in large quantities. “As a State Corporation we have to supply cement to consumers at a reasonable price and also to look after the interest of the employees who are there for the last number of years,” the Observer quoted them as saying.

In terms of the market outlook, the interview stated: “The local cement market has now hit a target of 6.2Mta, some industry experts believe. The market is growing at the rate of 10 per cent per annum. There is large scope for the cement manufacturing industry in the country.”