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| Sunday, 29 September 2002 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Rs. 500m tile factory in Thirappane Samson Rajarata Tiles (Pvt) Ltd. will establish the largest tile factory in Thirappane, Anuradhapura to manufacture clay-based products. The investment for the venture is Rs 500 million. The project will use the clay deposited in the tanks in the Anuradhapura district to manufacture the tiles. It will help desilt the tanks, thereby helping the farmers in the area. When tanks are desilted, they can be filled with more water for farming. The project will initially start with the Nachchaduwa Tank, which has the largest clay deposit. The clay has been tested locally and abroad and was found suitable to manufacture roofing tiles and terra cotta tiles. The venture, a company under the DSI Group, while helping in the national cause of desilting the tanks, will provide employment to about 150 people. An equal number will be employed indirectly. The company plans to remove 5,000 cubes of clay annually from the Nachchaduwa tank to manufacture tiles. It is estimated that the clay deposits in the Nachchaduwa tank is sufficient to manufacture tiles for the next 30 years. According to a company spokesman, the clay deposits in most of the tanks are of very good quality. At present most tanks cannot store the full capacity of water as they are filled with clay. The government, with the help of non-government organisations, spend huge amounts of money to clean the tanks, but since the clay is left on the banks, the whole process starts with the start of the rainy season. Until now, the clay which was desilted was wasted. This is also a solution to control the unsystematic and haphazard mining of clay around Maha Oya in areas such as Kochchikade, Waikkal and Sandalankawa, home to tile factories. Around 250 small tanks are found in and around Mihintale while there are 2,500 small tanks in the Anuradhapura district.The company spokesman said that they plan to venture into exports in the future. (SG) |
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