Phosphate plant, a boon to fertiliser production

By Christie Fernando, Chilaw special cor.

The phosphate plant at Eppawala will not be privatised, State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayasritha Tissera told the media.

The Minister who was on a fact-finding tour of the Eppawala fertiliser plant of Lanka Phosphate Limited said that production and supply of the plant meets the country's demand for fertiliser.

"The enterprise has developed by leaps and bounds since it was launched four years ago, Originally production was only 200 metric tons. Following the installation of new machines, capacity has increased to 330 metric tons on a daily basis," the Minister said.

"Annual production which was 45,000 metric tonnes has now soared to 55,000 metric tonnes. We hope to increase this to 100,000 tonnes in the future," he said.

A host of anomalies and shortcomings were identified and action taken to rectify them.

"Steps have also been taken to commission another machine which enable us to achieve our goal," he said.

"The plant will be the nation's foremost project earning a record profits," Minister Tissera said.

However, some disgruntled elements were keen on privatising it.

This project will not be privatised for any reason whatsoever, he said.

"Today UNPers were going round inspecting projects in various places. I invite them to come and see for themselves the state of affairs prevailing here and how this plant has been developed in record time and today, makes phenomenal profits," the Minister said.

Lanka Phosphate Limited Chairman Jaliya Kulasekera, Project director Nandana Rajapakse, General Manager H.R.U.D. Bandara, Deputy Director General Daya Gunasekekera, Production Manager, G.A. Chandradasa and Production Engineer Lahir Basnayake were also present.