The government of Sri Lanka has decided to develop Kankesanthurai Cement Factory (KCF) following a recommendation by a committee of professionals. This was stated by State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary Dr Willie Gamage. He said that the estimated cost of developing the cement factory would be around Rs 15 billion (Sri Lankan currency). The government plans to fund the development by obtaining a loan or issuing public shares. "It has been found that the limestone deposit in the Kankesanthurai area is sufficient for another 100 years going by the rate of consuming 3,500 mts per day", said Dr Gamage. The Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (SLCC) and Lanka Cement Limited (LCL), the two State organisations under the Ministry of State Resources and Enterprise Development which manufactured and sold cement and also imported cement for the local market were merged recently and operations commenced under the new name of Kankesanthurai Cement. The Secretary said that the Kankesanthurai Cement factory will be developed in two phases under the Northern Development programme.