Business

Lankem taps Eppawala phosphate to launch Sri Lanka’s first SSP fertiliser plant

Published

6 months ago

2026/04/2

Senior management of Lankem Ceylon PLC unveil Sri Lanka’s first locally manufactured Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertiliser at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo, on March 30, 2026. Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha.

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

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

23 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

23 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

23 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.