Sri Lanka’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing and research facility was declared open at Pitipana, Homagama by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.
The construction of the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and research and development facility located within the Sri Lanka Institute of Nano Technology (SLINTEC) Park in Homagama began three years ago and USD 13.8 million was spent to complete the work.
The factory was built by Morison PLC, the largest oral solid dosage pharmaceutical manufacturer in Sri Lanka and a subsidiary of Hemas Holdings PLC.
Sri Lanka is importing USD 1.8 billion worth pharmaceutical drugs annually and this company will help manufacture a share of them and reduce the imports. The company will also accept orders from foreign countries.
Ministers Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Wimal Weerawansa Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana and Hemas and Morrison PLC top management also participated.
The facility is expected to start commercial production early next year, supporting the Government’s aim to manufacture essential medicines locally.