Sri Lanka’s first solar panel manufacturing plant with Japanese investment opens in Katunayake

July 21, Colombo: The Japanese Sri Lanka Friendship (JSF) Corporation, Sri Lanka’s first manufacturer of solar panels today commenced manufacturing operations at their production facility in Katunayake Export Processing Zone with the participation of Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma as the Chief Guest.

JSF Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of REK CO., Ltd. in Japan and registered as a BOI company in Sri Lanka, specializes in providing renewable energy systems for both home and industrial use, efficient use of energy and improves productivity through it.

The company at its plant in Katunayake, will be manufacturing solar panels, assembling inverters and LED lighting to cater to the domestic and export market under the brand of “Sakura Solar”.

Solar Panels and related equipment sold in Sri Lanka will carry a 35-year generation warranty. In addition, because components are locally manufactured they also would be cheaper.

The JSF Corporations will invest US$ 250 million in its operations and manufacturing process and provide over 250 employment opportunities. The investment would act as a source of support to the government’s Soorya Bala Sangramaya renewable energy program as well.

Speaking at the event, Japanese Ambassador Suganuma said Sri Lanka has come forward in all spheres during the past three years and noted that this is the first Japanese solar power project in Sri Lanka.

“This is just a start. We will support Sri Lanka’s economic growth facing future challenges. Friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan is a longstanding one. Under the present Government several economic activities between the two countries are in operation. We thank the present government of Sri Lanka for the opportunity given and we hope to invest further in Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Suganuma said.

Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and State Minister Ajith P. Perera also participated in the occasion.