First Sri Lankan company to manufacture transformers locally
View(s):LTL Holding that began first by exporting locally manufactured transformers to Iraq in 1980, now exports transformers to 25 countries. Sixty per cent of its locally manufactured transformers are exported while only 40 per cent of them are used locally, said the Chief Operations Officer of the LTL Holdings Dammika Nanayakkara at a media briefing held at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo recently to commemorate LTL Holdings’ 35 years in operation.
He said LTL-made transformers were of a high quality that had been tested in the Netherlands, the US and at British standard institutes. “We were able to bring in around Rs. 5 billion to the country as foreign exchange by exporting transformers.” The core business of LTL Holdings has been to manufacture and design high voltage transformers and power grid sub stations at their plants located at Angulana – Ratmalana and at Sapugaskanda.
Way back in 1980s there were no transformers made in Sri Lanka which resulted in the importation of 70 types of transformers by various parties through tender procedures at various times causing a maintenance problem during breakdowns. “At this stage as an independent company we began to manufacture transformers in Sri Lanka for the first time to cater to the local needs,” he added.
He said the work on the galvanising plant began in 1990. The company’s other business include galvanising and steel fabrication of transmission towers at the Sapugaskanda plant and to maintain thermal power plants they manufacture. Mr. Nanayakkara said the company had also set up thermal power plants in other countries and the maintenance works was done by them.
Another feat of LTL Holdings was by transporting a massive 260 ton power generating plant to Puttalam by sea in a barge and then by road to the site. During the 1990s Sri Lanka became the sole country in the South Asia which was capable of producing transformers that didn’t require maintenance. The Kerawalapitiya Power Station which is capable of producing 300 Megawatts of power is the largest power station established by the LTL. Two power stations at Bangladesh have been built in addition to one project being built in India. (Jayampathy)