Govt to recommission KKS cement factory

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The government has decided to recommission the Kankesanthurai Cement Factory (KCF) following a recommendation by a committee of professionals, said State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary Dr. Willie Gamage.

He said that the estimated cost of recommissioning the cement factory would be around Rs. 15 billion. The funding source would be arranged by obtaining a loan or issuing public shares, he said.

It has been found that the lime-stone deposit in the Kankesanthurai area is sufficient for another 100 years going by the rate of consuming 3,500 mts per day, Dr. Gamage said.

The Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (SLCC) and Lanka Cement Limited (LCL), the two State organisations under the Ministry of State Resources and Enterprise Development which manufactured and sold cement and also imported cement for the local market were merged recently and operations commenced under the new name of Kankesanthurai Cement.

The Secretary said that the KKS factory will be developed in two phases under the Northern Development program.