Tokyo Cement boosts capacity with high-tech 1 m ton plant in Trincomalee

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi and Japanese Embassy Chargé d’affaires ad Interim Naoaki Kamoshida unveiling Tokyo Cement Group’s new cement grinding mill in Trincomalee

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi, Ube Industries Japan Managing Executive Officer Masaharu Sansui, and Japanese Embassy Chargé d’affaires ad Interim Naoaki Kamoshida ceremoniously opening the new cement grinding plant of Tokyo Cement Group

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi recently inaugurated Tokyo Cement Group’s cutting-edge cement manufacturing plant in Trincomalee. The fully-automated, high-tech cement grinding facility adds 1 million metric tons to Tokyo Cement’s total production capacity, increasing it to 4 million metric tons per annum, the largest in the country.

The event was also graced by the presence of Japanese Embassy Chargé d’affaires ad Interim Naoaki Kamoshida, Finance Attache and First Secretary Takafumi Nakanishi, Eastern Province Governor Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, and Trincomalee district MP Roshan Akmeemana, along with other dignitaries from the Ministry and Government officials. 

At the invitation of Tokyo Cement Group Chairman Dr. Harsha Cabral PC and Managing Director S.R. Gnanam, Mitsubishi Ube Cement Corporation Managing Executive Officer Masaharu Sansui, Tokyo Cement’s technical partner, attended the inauguration ceremony, along with distinguished members of the Board of Directors, as well as the management and staff of the Tokyo Cement Group.

Minister Handunneththi addressing the event remarked: “It is deeply humbling to witness the significant impact Tokyo Cement has made, not only on the nation’s overall growth but also on the development of the Eastern Province. The immense potential of this region as an extraordinary business hub was recognised decades ago by the late Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam, a vision I share and have consistently advocated. What we see today is a powerful testament of that belief and the progress that can be achieved through robust public-private partnerships and a shared commitment to nation-building. As a Government, we reaffirm our support for local investments such as this by fostering a conducive and investor-friendly environment for industrial development.”

Kamoshida, whilst commending the longstanding partnership that has thrived for over four decades, stated: “We would like to express admiration for Tokyo Cement’s successful mill-expansion, only a few years after the country-wide economic crisis. (…) Tokyo Cement Company’s expansion is not only timely but also visionary. The company’s strategic foresight will surely contribute to national progress and give this region and the country a hope for the future. (…) It is a clear example of how Japanese and Sri Lankan businesses can collaborate to foster sustainable development and mutual prosperity. This partnership is a testament to the strong and enduring economic ties between our two countries.”

Dr. Cabral PC addressing the gathering stated: “This manufacturing capacity expansion to 4 million metric tons, powered by state-of-the-art European technology, reaffirms Tokyo Cement Group’s commitment to innovation and environmentally efficient production. Most importantly, the entire project was executed by our in-house engineering teams, a powerful testament to Sri Lankan potential and our inherent confidence in creating value from within. Our strategic priorities throughout these 40 plus years have consistently focused on expanding our local value chain by reinvesting back in the future of our own country. With this milestone, Tokyo Cement is ready to meet the rising demand of the construction industry whilst saving millions of dollars otherwise spent on imports.”

Tokyo Cement Group is Sri Lanka’s largest manufacturer of high-quality cement, concrete, and cement-based innovative products. As a truly home-grown blue-chip company, Tokyo Cement has become an integral part of the country’s growth journey, earning its reputation as the most trusted supplier in the construction industry. From iconic city landmarks to vital infrastructure such as bridges, railroads, and elevated highways, Tokyo Cement’s products have helped shape projects that stand the test of time. With an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, the company continues to lead the transformation of the local construction landscape. 

As a key partner in nation-building, Tokyo Cement is dedicated to enriching the national economy through local value creation, while strengthening its market leadership as a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s industrial progress.