INSEE Cement recommences limestone rail operations

• Restores section railway line damaged by recent Ditwah Cyclone

INSEE Cement, Sri Lanka’s leading cement manufacturer and supplier and the only fully integrated cement plant in the country, announced the recommencement of limestone rail transportation from its Aruwakkalu quarry to the Puttalam plant, following the successful restoration of the section of the railway line damaged by the recent Ditwah Cyclone. 

Limestone transportation via rail officially resumes from February 18, 2026, marking a significant milestone in restoring normal logistics operations after the cyclone-related disruption.

INSEE Cement markets, the country’s leading cement brands, INSEE Sanstha Cement and Mahaweli Marine Plus Cement, playing a critical role in supporting Sri Lanka’s construction and infrastructure development.  

The limestone quarry in Aruwakkalu serves as the lifeline of cement manufacturing and is located approximately 40 km from the Puttalam plant. For many years, limestone has been transported daily via a dedicated single railway track passing through Palaviya station. The railway line is owned by Sri Lanka Railways (CGR) and leased to INSEE for limestone transportation, making INSEE the only company in Sri Lanka operating a dedicated rail logistics system in addition to CGR operations. 

The recent Ditwah Cyclone caused damage to a three-kilometre stretch of the railway track, including a bridge along the route, completely halting rail transportation. To ensure continuity of operations and market supply, INSEE temporarily transported limestone by road during the disruption. In close collaboration with Sri Lanka Railways, INSEE Cement invested approximately Rs.1.5 billion to restore the damaged section of the railway line. After 2.5 months of intensive restoration work, the destroyed three-kilometre stretch, including the bridge, has now been restored and brought back into operation. 

The restoration was completed by the INSEE team working alongside experienced officials of Sri Lanka Railways, whose technical expertise played a crucial role in accelerating the project. 

INSEE Lanka CEO Eng. Thusith Gunawarnasuriya stated, “The swift restoration of this critical railway infrastructure demonstrates INSEE’s resilience and long-term commitment to Sri Lanka. Our Rs.1.5 billion investment reflects our responsibility to ensure uninterrupted supply to the construction sector while strengthening national infrastructure through effective public-private collaboration.” 

INSEE Cement extends its sincere appreciation to the senior officials of CGR for their support and partnership. The company also expresses gratitude to the Governor of the Northwestern Province, District Secretary and government officials of Puttalam, Director of the Road Development Authority, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Air Force and all other authorities and stakeholders who supported the restoration process. INSEE Cement remains firmly committed to building Sri Lanka with strength, resilience and responsibility.