Business
Lankem taps Eppawala phosphate to launch Sri Lanka’s first SSP fertiliser plant
Event coincides with volatility in global fertiliser markets
Sri Lanka’s long-discussed Eppawala rock phosphate deposit has finally begun feeding a domestic fertiliser value chain, with Lankem Ceylon PLC unveiling the country’s first locally manufactured Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertiliser in a Rs. 3 billion industrial venture aimed at reducing import dependence and strengthening agricultural resilience.
The product, branded ‘Mada Raja’, was launched at a ceremony in Colombo on March 30, marking the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility operated by Lankem Minerals Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the diversified conglomerate.
With an annual production capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes, the plant is expected to meet up to 80% of Sri Lanka’s SSP fertiliser requirement, positioning the company to play a strategic role in stabilising fertiliser supply at a time when global supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.
The project is also the first significant industrial initiative in recent years to systematically utilise Eppawala rock phosphate, one of the country’s key mineral resources. Lankem Minerals will source over 30,000 metric tonnes annually from Lanka Phosphate Ltd, thereby strengthening a domestic fertiliser value chain while generating economic activity in the Anuradhapura region.
Speaking at the launch, Lankem Ceylon PLC Managing Director Suren Goonawardene said the initiative reflects a broader effort to reduce Sri Lanka’s dependence on imported fertilisers and build local industrial capability.
“The launch of ‘Mada Raja’ represents a significant step forward in building Sri Lanka’s agricultural resilience,” he said. “As a group we are focused on enabling long-term national value creation by strengthening domestic capability while supporting farmers through locally manufactured solutions.”
The project itself was not a quick undertaking. According to company officials, the concept was first initiated in 2015, followed by nearly a decade of research, technical trials and regulatory clearances before the plant reached commissioning.
A senior official involved in the project said the long development timeline was largely due to the unique mineral composition of Eppawala phosphate.
Earlier fertiliser formulations had typically relied on sedimentary phosphate sources, while the Eppawala deposit contains crystalline rock phosphate, which behaves differently during chemical processing.
“This fundamental difference in mineral structure directly affects how the end product reacts,” the official explained. “The same parameters used for conventional raw materials could not be applied identically.”
The company therefore had to undertake extensive laboratory work and industrial trials to refine the process. During this period, Lankem also worked closely with regulators and technical agencies to ensure the product met recognised standards.
The Sri Lanka Standards Institution, National Fertiliser Secretariat, and the Ministry of Science and Technology were engaged in the process, which eventually led to refinements in the regulatory framework and alignment with ISO-based quality standards.
“Through professional collaboration with the relevant institutions, the standards were enhanced and refined,” the official said. “Today we are unveiling a product that has passed through a rigorous framework of testing and compliance.”
Beyond the industrial and economic dimensions, the company says the product also addresses a growing agronomic challenge: sulphur deficiency in Sri Lankan soils.
Unlike conventional fertilisers such as Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), which primarily supply phosphorus, SSP provides a combination of phosphorus, sulphur and calcium.
This integrated nutrient profile helps improve root development, protein synthesis and soil structure, contributing to better crop performance and long-term soil health.
Lankem Minerals Chairman Ananda Hettiarachchy said the shift toward balanced nutrient management is becoming increasingly important for sustainable agriculture.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Business
Pelwatte Dairy commissions Sri Lanka’s largest dairy effluent treatment plant to advance ESG leadership and global market readiness
Pelwatte Dairy Industries Limited has successfully commissioned its state-of-the-art Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at its Buttala manufacturing facility, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward environmental stewardship, ESG compliance, and responsible dairy processing.
This facility is the largest Effluent Treatment Plant within a dairy processing operation in Sri Lanka, underscoring Pelwatte Dairy’s commitment to aligning its operations with global environmental standards and strengthening its position in international markets.
Strategic Commitment to ESG and Responsible Growth
This investment reflects a deliberate and forward-looking strategy by the Board of Directors to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into core operations. As Pelwatte Dairy continues to scale its processing capacity and expand its export footprint, environmental compliance has become a central pillar of sustainable growth.
The ETP has been designed to meet the increasingly stringent environmental expectations of Western, European, and Far Eastern markets, where compliance with wastewater discharge standards, environmental reporting, and sustainability practices are essential for market access.
Future-Proofed Design for Scalable Growth
The facility has a base treatment capacity of 250 m³ per day, with the engineered capability to handle peak volumes of up to 325 m³, representing approximately 30% additional capacity to accommodate future growth in processing volumes. [ETP Opening | Word]
This future-ready design ensures that Pelwatte Dairy can maintain consistent environmental performance even under high production scenarios, reinforcing the company’s commitment to long-term compliance, operational resilience, and responsible expansion.
Advanced Technology Supporting Global Compliance
The ETP integrates advanced treatment technologies, including:
Integrated Dissolved Air Flotation (IDAF)
Anaerobic and Enhanced Sequential Batch Reactor (AnSBR/eSBR) systems
Dedicated CIP wastewater management
Real-time automated process monitoring
Screw press sludge dewatering
These systems ensure high treatment efficiency and compliance with critical environmental parameters such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and nutrient discharge limits.
The plant is fully aligned with Sri Lanka’s stringent Central Environmental Authority (CEA) discharge standards and supports adherence to ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) practices, reinforcing Pelwatte Dairy’s structured approach to environmental management and continuous improvement.
Regulatory Engagement and Endorsement
The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives from the Board of Investment (BOI) Environmental Division and Central Environmental Authority (CEA) provincial and district offices, reflecting strong regulatory engagement and endorsement of the environmental standards achieved through this investment.
Their presence underscores Pelwatte Dairy’s proactive approach in working closely with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with national environmental frameworks while aligning with global best practices.
Enhancing Global Credibility of Sri Lankan Dairy
With this development, Pelwatte Dairy strengthens its position as a responsible and globally competitive dairy processor, capable of meeting the environmental expectations of leading international buyers and regulatory bodies.
This initiative not only enhances the company’s ESG profile but also contributes to elevating the sustainability standards of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry.
Acknowledgements
Pelwatte Dairy extends its sincere appreciation to its project team, operational staff, consultants, regulatory authorities, and partners for their contributions. Special recognition is extended to Industrial Solutions Lanka (Pvt) Limited for their engineering expertise and successful project delivery.
Business
Port City Colombo Forum in Dubai positions Sri Lanka as South Asia’s gateway for UAE business expansion
Exclusive invitation-only engagement at the Ritz-Carlton DIFC brought together approximately 200 senior UAE business and diplomatic leaders to explore Sri Lanka’s role as a platform for regional growth
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, in collaboration with Colombo Port City Economic Commission and CHEC Port City Colombo Pvt. Ltd., hosted Globalisation and the Sri Lankan Opportunity – From Recovery to Relevance: Sri Lanka’s Moment in the Evolving Global and Regional Economy, an invitation-only diplomatic and investment engagement at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.
The forum brought together approximately 200 senior leaders from across UAE corporates and business chambers alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior diplomatic and investment representatives – among them senior executives from Sobha Realty, Binghatti, Oracle, Emirates Airlines, First Abu Dhabi Bank, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, IFS, Danube and Samana Developers – reflecting the depth of interest from the UAE’s leading industries in Sri Lanka’s evolving economic proposition.
Opening the forum, Prof. Arusha Cooray, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates, set the tone for a morning of substantive dialogue, speaking to the depth and durability of the UAE–Sri Lanka partnership, one built on decades of trade, people, and shared economic ambition, and affirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to taking that relationship into a new chapter defined by what Sri Lanka can offer UAE businesses seeking to grow their presence across South Asia.
The keynote address was delivered by Ghanim Al Falasi, CEO of Falak Tayyeb Platinum and Senior Vice President/Director General’s Office for of Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), who drew on over a decade of senior leadership experience in the UAE’s innovation and technology ecosystem to frame the question of what South Asia’s emerging platforms offer to forward-looking UAE businesses. He noted that while Dubai provides global access to capital and logistics, Colombo offers strategic access to South Asia, and that together the two cities can function as complementary platforms serving different but mutually reinforcing roles in the regional economy.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will convene its 187th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 25th June 2026, at 5.30 PM at The Forum, Cinnamon Life.
This year’s gathering welcomes His Excellency Andrew Patrick, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka, as Chief Guest, who will deliver the keynote address. His presence reflects the close and longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, and is especially fitting at a juncture when strengthening trade ties, investor confidence, and sustained economic reform remain front of mind for the nation’s business community.
Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber, Krishan Balendra, will also address the audience, reflecting on a year of progress and setting out the priorities ahead. His remarks will provide an overview of the Ceylon Chamber’s continued push to sharpen private sector competitiveness, drive evidence-based policy advocacy, and anchor long-term economic stability.
Following the formal proceedings, members and guests are invited to a networking reception.
Ceylon Chamber members wishing to attend may register by contacting Alikie at alikie@chamber.lk / 9411 558 8805.
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