A recycling centre for construction and demolition (C&D) waste opened on Thursday at the Ekala Industrial Zone, the first such facility established under the Clean Sri Lanka national programme. The Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat allocated Rs. 200 million for the project, of which Rs. 150 million has been released, with machinery and land valued at Rs. 350 million.
The plant, located within the precast yard of the State Engineering Corporation under the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, has a recycling capacity of 200 metric tonnes per hour, alongside a modern laboratory and an administrative building. Engineering faculties of state universities are expected to be engaged in research activities at the site.
In Sri Lanka, nearly 300 tonnes of construction waste are collected each day from the Western Province alone. Indiscriminate disposal has contributed to soil pollution, water contamination and increased flood risk. Globally, the construction industry generates 40 percent of total waste and accounts for 25 percent of carbon emissions.
Under the new project, debris will be processed into raw materials through modern technology, with the aim of cutting natural-resource extraction and lowering construction costs.
Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply T.B. Sarath, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe and MP Najith Indika attended the opening, alongside Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Director General Kapila Senarath, Environmental Director Anjula Premarathna and State Engineering Corporation Chairman Eng. Neranjan Fernando.
The launch follows the presidential review of the Clean Sri Lanka 2026 action plan and is intended to anchor a circular economy in the construction sector.
