Sri Lanka can achieve 80% self-sufficiency in ceramics: Wimal

Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris speaks while pointing at a replica of the Baduraliya Factory Complex

Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa addressing the gathering

Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris addressing the gathering

With local manufacturers assuring 80% self-sufficiency in ceramic manufacturing the Government will continue its policy of import restriction and import substitution, Industries Minister Wimal Weerasinghe said recently.

“Not only in tile and ceramics, but a lot of businesses had to face hardships with the introduction of import restrictions due to the devaluation of the rupee and dwindling of foreign reserves. As such the Government will not turn back on its policy of import substitution and encouraging local manufacturing,” Weerawansa said at the laying of foundation stone of a ceramic manufacturing plant in Baduraliya.    

Due to the fallout from the COVID-19 global pandemic, which began in March 2020, the Government introduced import restrictions on non-essential goods as foreign reserves showed signs dwindling, which was extended to include all import items except pharmaceuticals and fuel on 1 April 2020.  

On 2 February this year, the Government issued a gazette notification relaxing the import restrictions on selected tiles and ceramic products only on a minimum 180-day credit facility provided by the foreign supplier. However, the Import and Export Control Department on 3 February reversed this policy by issuing new operating instructions for Sri Lanka Customs and all commercial banks to suspend the implementation of regulation No. 3 and 4 of the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2213/8 dated 2 February 2021, in terms of Imports and Exports Control Act No. 1 of 1969 read with Regulations No. 17 of the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2184/21.

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, ceramics exports in 2019 which amounted to $ 30 million fell to $ 24 million in 2020.    

TPS Ceramic Industries Ltd., the recent-most entity to join Sri Lanka’s largest ultra-modern sanitaryware and ceramic trading company, and distributor – Puwakaramba Group of Companies (PGC) – last week laid the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art ceramic manufacturing plant in Baduraliya.

Located in the PGC factory complex situated in a picturesque corner of the Kalutara District, TPS Ceramic Industries aims to become a formidable player and join other local players in order to nearly double the domestic ceramic production from its current 40% to 75-80% of the total consumption needed for Sri Lanka in the near future, in line with the vision of the Government to encourage import substitution.

Poised to become one of Sri Lanka’s largest ultra-modern ceramic manufacturing plants, TPS Ceramic Industries’ Baduraliya plant will kick start its manufacturing process of three ceramic and sanitaryware product lines by the end of 2022 and thereafter increase to 12 product lines in the upcoming years. 

The main objectives of the Baduraliya plant are to contribute positively to the country’s economy and assist in cushioning the excessive pressure on Sri Lanka’s balance of payments and foreign reserves through import substitution and employment generation.

TPS Ceramic Industries’ state-of-the-art plant situated along the Hedigalle Road in Horagoda Estate, Baduraliya was ceremoniously opened under the patronage Minister Weerawansa and MPs from the Kalutara District Jayantha Samaraweera and Sanjeewa Edirimanna.

PGC Founder Chairman Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris addressing the gathering had this to say: “Puwakaramba Agencies which started as a small retail hardware shop on 7 November 1985 with just two employees, has now grown to over 500 employees and has a dealer network of over 5,012 today. The group has given birth to numerous subsidiaries, namely, Puwakaramba Agencies, TPS International, PGC Marketing, Metro Auto Mart, Silkway Cargo, Elegant Homes and PA Manufacturers. We created history in 2016 by establishing the largest warehouse capacity in Sri Lanka and today, yet again, we are laying the foundation for one of the largest manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka as far as the construction industry is concerned.

“As a subsidiary of PGC, TPS Ceramic Industries will focus tremendously on offering the latest, best quality ceramic and sanitaryware products for our customers. We will continue to invest in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing in order to give better service to our customers.”

In addition to one of Sri Lanka’s largest warehouse complex related to the construction industry in Horana, PGC also boasts state-of-the-art warehouses in Mount Lavinia, Katubedda, Habarana and Suwarapola (Piliyandala) and in conjunction with its 30th anniversary the group added two more warehouses to its Regional Warehouse Complex in Habarana.

One of Sri Lanka’s largest importers, manufacturers and distributors of hardware items, PGC strives to be amongst the top 100 companies in Sri Lanka. PGC’s vision is to be the best business partner of its customers and of its suppliers and the mission is to constantly strive to meet or exceed its customer needs and expectations of price, service, and selection, while establishing a successful relationship with its customers and its suppliers.

Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Kalutara District MPs Jayantha Samaraweera and Sanjeewa Edirimanna laying the foundation stone