Sri Lanka Cement Corporation(SLCC), is to import 300,000 metric tons of cement from Pakistan over the next twelve months, to tide over local market shortages.

Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said yesterday that the imports would be staggered on the basis of 25,000 metric tons per month.

"The Memorandum to import cement from Pakistan's D.J. Khan Cement Limited at a cost of US$ 79 per metric ton was presented to the Cabinet by Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama. It was approved on the basis of being the lowest bid received by the Standard Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee."

Yapa, said that since the closure of SLCC’s Kankesanturai factory due to security reasons, it has been selling cement purchased both, locally and internationally in order to prevent its cash flow drying up."Due to various reasons, trading activities almost came to a standstill in January 2006."

The Cabinet of Ministers, he said also approved a proposal by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Highways and Road Development Minister for the construction of thirteen bridges under Phase II of the grant provided by Spain.

"Four bridges are being constructed in the Eastern Province under Phase I of the Spanish funded Bridge Construction Project for which the United Nations Office for Project Service acts as the Project Consultant and Centurion of Spain as the Steel Bridge Fabricator."

It has been decided to utilize the unspent savings from other sectors of the same donor funded projects for the construction of the thirteen bridges at a total cost of 13, 510, 982 euros,Yapa said.

"Six bridges will be built in the Eastern Province, two each in the Uva Province and Southern Province and one bridge each in the North Central, North Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. The project will be completed within the next 24 months."