The plant, long delayed by the outbreak of Covid-19, comes at a time when medical oxygen is most needed by those suffering from the virus.
Speaking on the commissioning of the plant, Sumith Guruge, Chairman, Industrial Gases Ltd and Gas World Ltd, said that this was a part of the company’s normal capacity expansion based on pre Covid-19 economic conditions.
He continued, “Fortunately, this plant was commissioned in April 2021 enabling local production capacity to meet the bulk of the Sri Lanka’s health sector needs during the early days of the third wave of Covid-19.”
With the plant enabling the company to increase its supply of oxygen to the health and industrial sectors from around 10 to 40 tonnes per day, Guruge stated that the plant will be up and running within the next few months.
He also expressed confidence in beating the pandemic, saying that this can be achieved by the doubling of its oxygen and nitrogen supply combined with a “vibrant” vaccination programme.
The Chairman looked towards the future when speaking about oxygen capacity post-pandemic, saying, “We are looking at the broader goals of our industry. Any investor will be able to access our industrial gas without an interruption”
“Hopefully we will be able to provide more in-plant oxygen supply to more hospitals”, he concluded.