Kankasanthurai cement factory to reopen soon

Mohammed Naalir and Nirushi Wimalaweera

Moves are under-way to reopen the Kankasanthurai Cement factory as a step to cater to the local cement demand, Lanka Cement Limited Chairman Sisira Paranagama said.

He said a sustainable solution could be found for the prevailing cement shortage in the market and stable cement prices too could be maintained.

He said nearly 3,000 job opportunities could be generated with the opening of the factory.

He said priority will be given to the unemployed youth in Jaffna in providing jobs.

The renovation work on the factory will be conducted under the guidance of Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's instructions, Paranagama added.

He recently visited the site with several other engineers to observe the feasibility of reopening the factory. Paranagama said India, Italy, and Germany are also keen to assist the move.

He said a bag of cement is sold at Rs. 750. After reopening the factory, the price could decrease to Rs. 500.

Paranagama said Kankasanthurai has the largest lime stone deposit in the region.

A huge sum spent on cement imports could be saved with the reopening of the factory, he added.

Even though the factory had been closed for nearly two decades, the machinery is in good condition and can be used for production, he added.