A vessel carrying the first cargo of 30,000 tons of ‘Zircon’ left for China on Sunday (03) from the Trincomalee Port belonging to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) resuming the direct export of mineral sands which was halted for three decades due to the war.
SLPA Acting Resident Manager and Deputy Harbor Master Captain Sriyantha Arampath said that after the cessation of direct exports, mineral sand exports were done for three decades through an intermediary party.
The Acting Resident Manager said that Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd located in Pulmude will benefit by resuming direct exports and the SLPA will also receive a large income from these operations.
He said that 60,000 tons of ilmenite will also be sent to China in two more vessels in the coming days.
(Ada)
