In the quest for an industrial renaissance despite the protracted coronavirus lockdown, the government has reopened the once- abandoned Valachchenai paper mill which was considered an asset to the country more than six decades ago.
The National Paper Corporation (NPC) has resurrected the defunct paper mill with Indian technical assistance and a test run of the machine has been successful, NPC Chairman Wimal Rupasinghe said..
The first stock of paper made in Sri Lanka at the renovated and modernised Valachchenai paper mill will be released to the market in August, he revealed.
The factory will produce paper for school textbooks and cardboard packaging material for industrialists initially.
Once the factory is in full operation, the paper mill will provide 400 jobs for youth in the area.
The 300 acres adjacent to the factory site will be developed as an industrial park and tourism zone; he said adding that a large scale print museum will also be built to attract tourists.
The Ministry of Small and Medium Business, Enterprise Development, and Industries will seek Rs.800 million from the Treasury to set up large solar parks, water recycling plant and a water bottling plant at the site.
(LIN)