Tokyo Cement boosts capacity with high-tech 1 million ton plant in Trincomalee
Daily FT: Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti recently inaugurated Tokyo Cement Group’s cutting-edge cement manufacturing plant in Trincomalee. The fully-automated, high-tech cement grinding facility adds 1 million metric tons to Tokyo Cement’s total production capacity, increasing it to 4 million metric tons per annum, the largest in the country.
The event was also graced by the presence of Japanese Embassy Chargé d’affaires ad Interim Naoaki Kamoshida, Finance Attache and First Secretary Takafumi Nakanishi, Eastern Province Governor Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, and Trincomalee district MP Roshan Akmeemana, along with other dignitaries from the Ministry and Government officials.
At the invitation of Tokyo Cement Group Chairman Dr. Harsha Cabral PC and Managing Director S.R. Gnanam, Mitsubishi Ube Cement Corporation Managing Executive Officer Masaharu Sansui, Tokyo Cement’s technical partner, attended the inauguration ceremony, along with distinguished members of the Board of Directors, as well as the management and staff of the Tokyo Cement Group.
Minister Handunnetti addressing the event remarked: “It is deeply humbling to witness the significant impact Tokyo Cement has made, not only on the nation’s overall growth but also on the development of the Eastern Province. The immense potential of this region as an extraordinary business hub was recognised decades ago by the late Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam, a vision I share and have consistently advocated. What we see today is a powerful testament of that belief and the progress that can be achieved through robust public-private partnerships and a shared commitment to nation-building. As a government, we reaffirm our support for local investments such as this by fostering a conducive and investor-friendly environment for industrial development.”
Kamoshida, whilst commending the longstanding partnership that has thrived for over four decades, stated: “We would like to express admiration for Tokyo Cement’s successful mill-expansion, only a few years after the country-wide economic crisis. Tokyo Cement Company’s expansion is not only timely but also visionary. The company’s strategic foresight will surely contribute to national progress and give this region and the country hope for the future. It is a clear example of how Japanese and Sri Lankan businesses can collaborate to foster sustainable development and mutual prosperity. This partnership is a testament to the strong and enduring economic ties between our two countries.”
Dr. Cabral PC addressing the gathering stated: “This manufacturing capacity expansion to 4 million metric tons, powered by state-of-the-art European technology, reaffirms Tokyo Cement Group’s commitment to innovation and environmentally efficient production. Most importantly, the entire project was executed by our in-house engineering teams, a powerful testament to Sri Lankan potential and our inherent confidence in creating value from within. Our strategic priorities throughout these 40 plus years have consistently focused on expanding our local value chain by reinvesting back in the future of our own country. With this milestone, Tokyo Cement is ready to meet the rising demand of the construction industry whilst saving millions of dollars otherwise spent on imports.”
OSL take:
The plant expansion undertaken by Tokyo Cement in Sri Lanka is indicative of the growth in the local construction industry as well as the overall expansion of the country’s economy. The ongoing development drive in Sri Lanka and the increasing attraction of Sri Lanka as a business destination in the South Asian region have all expanded key economic sectors in the country as well as increase the value of land in key areas in the country, especially in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo. This has resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate industry as well as the construction industry. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate and construction industries while also exploring the potential business opportunities in the expansion of industries related to these industries. Foreign businesses/investors could also look at expanding operations in the real estate and construction industries through partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250625/Z_4 |