Roofing tile industrial park to be set up at Yan Oya : Amaraweera

The Ministry of Environment has planned to set up another roofing tile industrial park associated with the huge clay deposit near Yan Oya reservoir, a statement from it said.   

The local roofing tile manufacturers brought to the notice of the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera during a discussion that the local tile industry was facing a serious crisis due to the shortage of clay.   
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has identified two large clay deposits in the Yan Oya and Ampara areas.   

Therefore, a team led by the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera visited the Yan Oya Clay Deposit recently (13) to inquire into the matter. Former Minister Tissa Karaliyadda, Chairman of the GSMB Mr. Anura Walpola and officials of the Ministry of Environment were also present on the occasion.   
Before the end of 2021, the Ministry of Environment will implement a number of preliminary measures aimed at restricting the use of asbestos for government buildings. As a first step, it has been decided to ban the use of asbestos in new pre-school buildings and school buildings. 

 
Therefore, action should be taken to increase roofing tile production as an alternative. The Ministry of Environment has taken steps to provide the required clay from the Yan Oya and Ampara clay deposits to address the shortage of clay affecting the local tile industry.   

Hundreds of tons of clay excavated during the construction of the Yan Oya Reservoir have now been dumped in various places. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment has planned to establish a roofing tile manufacturing park in the vicinity of the Yan Oya, the Minister of Environment said.   

A programme will be prepared to manufacture all the roofing tiles required for the country in the future in the vicinity of the Yan Oya and Ampara clay deposits. .

   
The Minister also took steps to solve the clay problem faced by the villagers of Horowpothana Kurulugama, a village engaged in the traditional pottery industry. Accordingly, he instructed the police to provide them with suitable government land for cutting clay and to allow the transport of clay without any hindrance. The Minister also instructed them to obtain firewood for clay kilns under supervision of the Grama Niladharis.   
The Minister also stated that he will arrange to purchase a machine for grinding clay for people engaged in the pottery industry in Kurulugama.