Sri Lanka: Lanka Cement to establish a grinding and packing plant

Lanka Cement PLC says, it is planning to establish a joint venture with international cement manufactures to set up a grinding and packing plant in the Northern province of Sri Lanka.

NSM Samsudeen, Lanka Cement chairman, reveals that the proposed plant will be established outside the High Security Zone in Kankasanturai. “The excavation of Limestone deposits is not permitted, only option is to setup a clinker grinding facility with foreign collaboration,” stated Samsudeen in the company’s 2011 annual report.

He said, the firm will use this facility to cater to the 'Rehabilitation, Resettlement programme' started by the Government in the Northern province.

According to NSM Samsudeen, Lanka Cement PLC will act as the marketing arm for the 'Kankesan' brand and 'Lanka Cement' brand OPC in the Northern region. The company has made an operational loss of SLR 34.73m during the year 2011, marginally down, compared to SLR39.33m, recorded in 2010.

Lanka Cement has seen its sales quantity rising from 17,940Mt in 2010 to 23,201Mt in 2011.