Wholesale centre for building materials to be established

Irangika Range

For the first time in Sri Lanka, a wholesale center for building materials is to be set up, fulfilling yet another pledge given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Finance Minister in the 2008 budget.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Service Minister Bandula Gunawardana told the media yesterday that the initial estimated cost of the wholesale centre to be set up in Godagama in Homagama is Rs.430 million. It would be built on a land area of 25 acres.

The Treasury has already released Rs. 200 million for the project.The Minister said they expect massive development in the area by the end of 2009 and the Building Materials Centre will be very useful in this context.

He said Homagama is a strategic location for this center as it is a main gate way to Colombo from the hill country.

Construction of the Southern Highway connecting the Western and Southern province will also serve as an added advantage. He said the number of major industrial zones and the Meegoda Economic Center too are cited in the area.

The area is equipped with infrastructure facilities including transport, water and electricity. He said Homagama and its surrounding areas are unique for building material. The Kelany Valley is well-known for its river sand and brick industry.

He said Kaduwela is an ideal site for the metal industry. Horana has made a name for brass locks and door hinges.

The Minister said this will vastly benefit small scale businessmen engaged in the building material trade.

"At present, drivers cannot bring lorries to the city due to the security situation. Now this problem will be solved with the setting up of this center where facilities will be provided to park over 200 lorries carrying sand. It will be a great opportunity to the public who can now buy their needs under one roof". He said accent would be laid on the quality of the building materials which will be subject to special examination by the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department.

He said the center is being administrated by the Building Materials Corporation Ltd. closed for several decades.

"We want the Corporation revived by increasing its contribution for the country's productivity. We will grant tax holidays to attract more investors to this project,"

The Minister said four zones are expected to be developed under the plan. These are paint, hardware, electrical and the ceramic items for each zone.

"We had to face a number of allegations on this project," he said.

"These type of allegations also arose when the Upper Kotmale project, several highways and Norochcholai project were started. But we can see the massive development that has taken place in these areas at present," he said.