Business
Cement raw material shipments kick off Hambantota Port operations 2022
Hambantota International Port (HIP) had a robust start to the new year, with 6 supply cargo ships at the port in January 2022, discharging raw materials for the cement industry. The consignees were Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., and INSEE Cement, leading cement manufacturers operating in the Southern part of the country. Both companies entered into strategic partnerships with HIP in the latter part of 2021, to increase their supply chain efficiency. HIP handled a total volume of 265,163.34 MTs of cement raw material for the 2 manufacturers in January this year.
Vessels Tang Binh 245, Unity and Dubai Crown carried shipments of clinker, gypsum and slag for Lanwa Sanstha Cement. These were the first ships calling at the port with raw material for Lanwa Sanstha Cement, following the signing of the agreement with HIP last year to establish a covered conveyor belt and two ship unloaders within the port premises. The facility which is currently under construction, will deliver raw material consignments directly to their manufacturing plant at the Mirijjawila BOI zone.
Tang Binh 245 at the Hambantota Port to discharge 27,607 MT of clinker.
“Two major cement manufacturers, INSEE and Lanwa are currently working with HIP. While HIP is developing and offering services as a multipurpose port it is also supporting industries and enabling the development of adjacent areas. As much as HIP will see a considerable increase in our bulk volumes, with the commencement of the Lanwa factory, we expect Lanwa Sanstha Cement to have a significant advantage through the logistical arrangements of our port operations,” says Johnson Liu, CEO of HIPG.
Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, CEO of Lanwa Sanstha Cement says their plant, which will be the first of its kind using cutting edge European technology, will soon commence operations. “We will commence manufacturing during the first quarter of this year and optimise production to meet market demand. We are very happy with our collaboration with Hambantota International Port, and the handling of our first three cargo ships for the year carrying raw material for our manufacturing process went smoothly. The port crew was efficient and worked with remarkable speed, which is of great value to us,” he said.
There were 3 consignments of clinker and slag for INSEE Cement also in January. INSEE who has worked with HIP since 2018 was the port’s first customer for dry bulk cargo, enabling the port to handle a volume of over 1 million metric tonnes for them last year.
The Hambantota International Port expects their partnerships with the two cement manufacturers to strengthen their supply chains and productivity, enabling them to meet the high demand for cement in the construction industry. HIP, which is on a steady track to becoming a fully functional multi-purpose port, with continuous testing of its systems for optimum efficiency, is now delivering productivity levels setting benchmarks in the region.
AIA Sri Lanka’s ‘Pawfect Match’ campaign, in partnership with animal welfare groups, inspired 500+ adoptions of stray pets. The initiative highlighted adoption, responsible ownership, and compassion, tackling Sri Lanka’s stray animal crisis. AIA thanks all supporters for their life-changing impact.
The campaign served as a reminder that even small acts of kindness like adopting a stray can make a big impact. It also provided an opportunity for the public to learn more about responsible pet ownership, animal rights, and the importance of compassion toward all creatures.
Calton Sweet House Pvt. Ltd., a key part of Calton Group, was honored as the Best National Industry Brand in the Medium-Scale Food and Beverage Sector at the National Industry Brand Excellence Awards 2024, organized by the Industrial Development Board. Deshamanya Mahesh De Silva, Director of Finance and IT at Calton Group, accepted the award.
Established in 1991, Calton Sweet House has over 30 years of excellence, specializing in cakes, snacks, and frozen bakery items, with 20+ outlets across Negombo, Katunayake, and Colombo, including at Bandaranaike International Airport. The company holds ISO, HACCP, and GMP certifications, ensuring top-quality standards.
Starting as a small store in 1983, Calton Group now employs 300+ staff and operates multiple businesses, including Calton Hyper Market and Calton Catering, while partnering with global brands like Unilever and Upfield. The group remains committed to serving customers with high-quality, safely packaged food products.
Total investments now exceed $3.37B, maintaining lead as top foreign investor
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider and a member of the Dialog Axiata Group – the country’s largest Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) operating under the guidance of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) – announced a USD 100 million investment to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure. With cumulative investments now exceeding USD 3.37 billion, Dialog reaffirms its commitment to inclusive connectivity, superior service delivery, and advancing the nation’s digital future.
The investment comprises USD 81 million by Dialog Axiata PLC (DAP) and USD 19 million by Dialog Broadband Networks (Private) Limited (DBN), formalised through two Supplementary Agreements with the BOI. These funds will be channelled into enhancing Dialog’s mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, accelerating the adoption of next-generation technologies, and expanding digital platforms that underpin the country’s connectivity and service ecosystem.
The Supplementary Agreement for DAP was signed by David Lau, Chairman, Dialog Axiata PLC, and Supun Weerasinghe, Director/Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC, while the Agreement for DBN was signed by Supun Weerasinghe and Viranthi Attygalle, Group Company Secretary, Dialog Axiata PLC. Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, signed both agreements on behalf of the BOI. Also present at the signing were Renuka Weerakone, Director General, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Axiata Group Berhad.
“This investment is a reaffirmation of Axiata’s deep-rooted confidence in Sri Lanka’s future,” said Mr. Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Axiata Group Berhad. “We are proud to continue enabling our operating companies to deliver world-class connectivity and look forward to allocation of commercial 5G spectrum to accelerate Sri Lanka’s digital economy.”
“Dialog’s long-standing presence in Sri Lanka reflects our unwavering commitment to building infrastructure that not only supports economic growth but also enhances the lives of millions,” said David Lau, Chairman, Dialog Axiata PLC. “This investment will ensure Dialog continues to play a leading role in shaping the country’s digital future.”
“We will continue investing in Sri Lanka’s digital journey, empowering individuals, enterprises, and communities through next-generation connectivity,” said Supun Weerasinghe, Director/Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC. “This latest commitment strengthens our resolve to deliver inclusive, future-ready infrastructure that supports national progress and positions Sri Lanka for a connected tomorrow.”
AIA Sri Lanka ‘Pawfect Match’ campaign
Calton wins National Industry Brand Excellence award
Dialog pumps another $100M into Sri Lanka’s digital growth
-
Features24 hours agoSearching for George Keyt
-
Features7 days agoChampioning Geckos, Conservation, and Cross-Disciplinary Research in Sri Lanka
-
Midweek Review5 days agoBronze statue for P’karan, NPP defeat in the North and 16th anniversary of triumph over terrorism
-
News3 days agoChikungunya spreading rapidly in Colombo and suburbs
-
Features24 hours agoThe Strategic Imperative:Why Sri Lanka Could Transform Indo-Pacific Security Through Space
-
News6 days agoExpert: Mismanagement of CEB hydro resources increases costly oil-powered electricity generation
-
News5 days agoFrench Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo
-
Business2 days agoHameedia launches ‘We Create’ – Sri Lanka’s first-ever online tailoring platform