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Clay from disused tanks for tiles
By Hiran Senewiratne
Sri Lanka's pioneer shoemaker is branching into a new field of activity - tile making - with a social cause.
D. Samson Industries or DSI is planning to use clay deposits from disused irrigation tanks in Anuradhapura to produce tiles for domestic consumption and exports in a 500 million-rupee joint venture with Japanese collaboration.

"We are de-silting tank beds to manufacture tiles in a totally-environment friendly project which would benefit people in the area," DSI's Commercial Director Ranjith Hettiarachchi told The Sunday Times FT.

DSI, which has interests in food and beverages, apparel exports, brushes, latex rubber and tire re-treading in addition to manufacturing shoes, says it plans to manufacture both roofing tiles and terra cotta floor tiles in addition to colour-glazed roof tiles, for the first time in Sri Lanka with Japanese technical assistance

Several irrigation tanks in the north central province especially in Anuradhapura need de-silting if they are to be used. The DSI project has received the support of government agencies and local authorities as the tanks could be used again once the silt is removed.

Hettiarachchi said a new company Samson Rajarata (Pvt) Ltd is building a tile factory at Thirappane with plans to employ 150-200 people, from nearby villages, who are often without work due to regular droughts in the region. Most of the people are involved in agriculture.

The new factory will be the largest factory in the Anuradhapura district.

Hettiarachchi said the Nachchaduwa tank has an abundance of clay deposits and the company plans to use some 5,000 cubes (lorry loads) of clay from there annually to manufacture tiles.

The company has carried out soil tests and found the clay suitable to make tiles. DSI plans to manufacture 400,000 tiles per month, Hettiarachchi said.

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