Lankem Ceylon introduces locally-produced SSP fertiliser
Sri Lanka’s efforts to reduce import dependency in agriculture received a boost this week with the introduction of a locally manufactured Single Super Phosphate fertiliser, as policymakers and industry continue to explore ways to strengthen domestic supply chains and improve long-term soil productivity.
Lankem Ceylon PLC formally unveiled the product, marketed as “Mada Raja,” at the launch event held at Cinnamon Life in Colombo on March 30, marking the country’s first local production of Single Super Phosphate at scale.
At the event.
The fertiliser is manufactured by Lankem Minerals Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Lankem Ceylon, at a facility with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes. The company estimates that this output could meet up to 80 per cent of Sri Lanka’s requirement for Single Super Phosphate, a segment that has historically relied on imports.
The project, backed by an investment of Rs. 2.5 billion, is built around the use of Eppawala Rock Phosphate, with over 30,000 metric tonnes expected to be sourced annually from Lanka Phosphate Ltd. Beyond reducing import reliance, the initiative is expected to support local value chains and generate economic activity in regions such as Anuradhapura, where raw materials are sourced.
Sri Lanka’s fertiliser sector has faced recurring pressures in recent years, ranging from global price volatility to foreign exchange constraints and supply disruptions. Within this context, expanding domestic production capacity is increasingly being viewed as a strategic priority to stabilise supply and reduce exposure to external shocks.
Managing Director of Lankem Ceylon PLC, Suren Goonawardene, said at the launch that the initiative reflects a broader shift towards building national capability within the agricultural sector. “The launch of ‘Mada Raja’ represents a significant step forward in building Sri Lanka’s agricultural resilience. As a group, we are focused on enabling long-term national value creation by reducing import dependency and strengthening domestic capability,” he said.
Alongside its economic implications, the introduction of Single Super Phosphate also signals a shift in the approach to plant nutrition. Unlike high-analysis fertilisers such as Triple Super Phosphate, which primarily supply phosphorus, Single Super Phosphate provides a combination of phosphorus, sulphur and calcium.
Chairman of Lankem Minerals Ltd, Ananda Hettiarachchy, said sustaining agricultural productivity requires a longer-term approach to soil management.
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