KKS harbour to be developed

• 50 acres of land to be acquired by SLPA to extend harbour
• Cabinet approval given to restart Oddusudan tile factory with DSI Group tie-up

Cabinet this week gave approval for two projects to be carried out in the north, including acquiring 50 acres of land to develop and extend the Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour and revive the Oddusudan tile factory by tying up with the DSI Group of Companies.   

Plans have been drawn to acquire 50 acres of land to Sri Lanka Ports Authority for the development and extension of Kankesanthurai harbour. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal submitted by the Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando for the acquisition of 15 acres of land adjoining the harbour subject for Rs. 52 million and to acquire another 35 acres of land under private ownership subject to payment of compensation in terms of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.

A second Cabinet paper was also approved to restart all factories not in operation, by restructuring Lanka Tile Corporation under the purview of the Ministry of Industries and Supply Management as per the policy of rejuvenating public enterprises mentioned in the Government policy declaration. 

“Plans have been drawn to restart operations in the tile and brick manufacturing factory situated in Oddusudan in the district of Mullaitivu to manufacture 400,000 tiles and bricks per month,” a statement from the Government Information Department said.  

Accordingly, Cabinet approval was granted to the proposal submitted by Industries and Supply Management Minister Wimal Weerawansa to keep ownership of the building and machinery with Lanka Tiles Corporation but to manufacture tiles and bricks in conjunction with Samson Rajarata Tiles Ltd., which is a company under the umbrella of the DSI Group of Companies.