A new cement plant will start production in Sri Lanka early next year. Sri Lanka is one of the importers of cement/clinker from Pakistan, and this new production line would provide an opportunity for Pakistani clinker exporters.

According to local media, an agreement was signed between Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation Pvt. Ltd. to establish a conveyor belt and two ship unloaders within the port premises to handle and deliver raw materials required for their cement manufacturing plant at the Mirijjawila BOI zone.

The agreement was formalized by the CEO of HIPG, Johnson Liu and Chairman of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation Pvt. Ltd., Nandana Lokuwithana, in the presence of the Minister for Ports and Shipping, Rohitha Abeygunawardena. Secretary to the Ministry, U. D. C. Jayalal, and Vice-Chairman SLPA- Dr Prashantha Jayamanne were also present at the signing ceremony held at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

The new cement manufacturing plant, which will have an initial capacity of 1 million MTs, will begin production by January next year. The total capacity once the factory is complete will be 3 million MTs. (media report)