Sri Lanka: resumption of KKS factory will ease cement shortage

Sri Lanka: resumption of KKS factory will ease cement shortage
18 August 2008


The shortage of cement will ease in Sri Lanka as steps have been take to recommence work at the Kankesanthurai Cement factory shortly, said Minister of Construction and Engineering Services Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

He was speaking at the inauguration the ‘Construct’ Exhibition 2008 on Friday at the BMICH.

“There will be sufficient cement in the country and the possibility of exporting to the Maldives and other countries in the region could be looked into”, Dr. Senaratne said.

A program has been launched to purify river sand for construction work with assistance from foreign countries. There was an acute shortage of sea sand in the recent past due to measures taken by the Government to check illegal sand mining.

“Steps have been taken to train school-leavers and absorb them into the construction industry. The first Sisu Nana pola to train school-leavers will be held in Kandy next month”, he said.

The Minister said that a SAARC construction conference could be held to share expertise and new technology which would help to develop the construction sector in several countries.

The construction industry plays a major role in the development of the country. The industry contributed Rs. 145,000 million to the GDP with a growth rate of nine per cent last year. The construction industry provides direct employment to over 550,000 people and 600,000 indirect employment.
Published under Cement News