Five state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development have contributed a total of Rs. 757.4 million in dividends to the Treasury.
The funds were formally handed over in Parliament to Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Labor Anil Jayanta and Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriya-Peruma by representatives of Lanka Mineral Sands, BCC Lanka Limited, National Salt Company, Lanka Phosphate Company and Lanka Graphite Limited.
Lanka Mineral Sands Acting Chairman Gayan Wellala presented Rs. 500 million, part of the profits earned during the past nine months. He said the company aims to reach a revenue target of Rs. 5 billion by the end of the year.
BCC Lanka Limited Chairman H.A. Prasanna Indrajith contributed Rs. 50 million. The company, which had been operating at a loss for years and was once earmarked for closure, has now secured Rs. 105 million in fixed deposits this year.
National Salt Company Chairman Gayan Wellala also handed over Rs. 100 million to the Treasury. He noted that despite a salt shortage earlier this year, the company has recovered and expects to record its highest-ever annual production by year’s end.
Lanka Phosphate Company Chairman Ananda Premakumara said his company will remit Rs. 100 million to the Treasury next week and reinvest the remaining profits into company development.
Lanka Graphite Chairman P.V.A. Hemalal, who has already remitted Rs. 7.4 million, said this marks the company’s first contribution to the Treasury in 14 years.
The total Rs. 757.4 million represents half-yearly dividend payments, with additional contributions expected later this year.
The handover ceremony was attended by Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara and other senior officials. (Newswire)