Lanwa Cement, HIPG deal to create more than 300 direct jobs

Two agreements were signed between Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd & Hambantota International Port Group (Pvt) Ltd recently which allows Lanwa Sanstha Cement Plant in Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone to be connected with the Hambantota International Port via a Conveyor Belt spanning 2.4 kms.

According to Johnson Liu – CEO, Hambantota International Port Group Pvt. Limited (HIPG), the project will generate more than 300 direct employment opportunities and will be a win-win business model for both companies.

The agreements also grant a licence to Lanwa Sanstha Cement to operate 02 ship unloaders owned by Lanwa in the Jetty area allocated to Lanwa Sanstha Cement.

The Conveyor Belt dedicated for transportation of raw material from port to plant with increased efficiency assures no wastage and zero pollution.

Environmental friendly, dust free, overhead enclosed conveyor belt could transport 1,200 tons per hour. A ship with the capacity of 60,000 tons can be unloaded within 03 days with the state-of-the-art infrastructure. The production capacity of the plant is estimated to be 3 million Metric Tons per annum.

Lanwa Sanstha Cement is a 100% local investment and a BOI Venture. One of the highlights of the facility would be the emphasis on latest technology where all mixing will be carried out with latest European Technology while many of the other equipment used throughout the production process have been customised by the world-renowned pioneers in innovation. Packaging is done using state-of-the-art technology for improved efficiency and minimal wastage.

Chairman of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Nandana Lokuwithana said: “This plant is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka utilizing cutting-edge European technology to yield optimum outcomes while being environmentally conscious through continuous monitoring. We are delighted that we have been able to collaborate with Hambantota International Port Group (Pvt) Ltd to take the manufacturing process to the next level.”

The manufacturing facility features a fully automated Stacker Reclaimer Yard and two Bridge Type Ship Unloaders, a breakthrough in cargo handling shifting from labor-intensive to tech-oriented aligning local industry with global trends. Lanwa Sanstha Cement will have a storage capacity the equivalent of three cargo ships. All these features are new to Sri Lanka and only available at a few such facilities regionally.