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| Sunday, 1 May 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Lanka Phosphate - highest production and sales targets in 2004 by L.S.A. Wedaarachchi Lanka Phosphate Ltd., a public sector company - achieved the highest production and sales targets last year and supplied the total requirement of Rock Phosphate to the country. In 1978 Sri Lanka imported 42,000 metric tons of Rock Phosphate. Fertiliser comprises urea Rock Phosphate and Nitrogen, Phosporus and Potassium. At present the main supplier of high grade Rock phosphate to the public and private sector fertiliser companies in Sri Lanka is Lanka Phosphate Ltd. Explaining the present achievements of the company, the Chairman Dr. C.P. Udawatta said that the company achieved the highest ever sales, selling 46,551 metric tons of Eppawela Rock Phosphate (ERP) and Higher grade Eppawela Rock Phosphate (HERP) in 2004 having been in the field for the last thirty years. Lanka Phosphate Company recognising the important role played by long-term crop cultivators, had established an islandwide sales network to sell their ERP and HERP Phosphate to cultivators. ERP and HERP Phosphate can be purchased without any difficulty from the Company's head office at Colombo 14 or authorised sales agents in the outstations. According to Dr. Udawatta to impart a knowledge of agriculture and the latest cultivation methods, the company conducts training programs for farmers with the assistance of the Agriculture Department. "Another important area where the company has succeeded up to now is producing a local fertiliser for short-term crops. At present triple super phosphate (TSP) which is imported is used by short-term cultivators for their crops. The lab and field research conducted by the company under the guidance of the Department of Agriculture on single super phosphate fertiliser for short-term crops was a success, the first of its type conducted in the country. The results of the research are encouraging and it is expected to continue further to obtain the approval of the agriculture department, the chairman said. Dr. Udawatta who did research for his doctorate on chemical science in Sri Lankan and Sweden universities, believes that Sri Lankan scientists have a very important role to play to develop the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. Considering the Eppawela Phosphate graphite in the North Central province as a national asset, he is determined to use this national asset to gain self-sufficiency in Sri Lanka. For the first time in the history of the company Dr. Udawatta and his senior team are preparing a corporate plan for the company for the next five years to achieve its targets. |
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