Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama is confident that with the reduction of cement prices in the world market, the price in Sri Lanka too would come down soon.

At a press conference held at his ministry in Colombo on Tuesday, in connection with the forthcoming Machinery Exhibition 2009, he said though the price of cement had gone up earlier, it had come down to Rs. 730 per 50 kg bag recently.

He also expressed confidence that cement could be sold cheaper with the reconstruction of the cement factory in Kankesanturai which had been closed down because of terrorism. Plans were afoot to commence manufacturing in Kankasanturai with foreign collaboration if necessary, the Minister said.