KKS cement factory to resume work

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

All measures have been taken by the State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry to resume operations at the Kankesanthurai cement factory in the near future. The Lanka Cement Corporation has already earned profits around Rs 7 to 8 million while settling the debt burden of Rs 234 million, State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayasritha Tissera said.

According to the minister, the government has allocated Rs 5 billion to establish a new cement manufacturing plant with the capacity of manufacturing 250 to 500 tons and a packing division.

"Currently we are exporting 10,000 metric tons of cement and packing is done at this factory. This factory ceased operations in 1990 due to the war. This is the time to stand again as one nation while developing all parts of the country," the minister said.

Manufacturing work of the cement factory in Kankesanthurai is being carried out successfully. It has provided 100 new jobs as well, Lanka Cement Corporation Chairman Sisira Jinendra Paranagama said.

The Lanka Cement Corporation is also manufacturing block stones and cement blocks to be used for repairing activities of roads, he added.