The government has decided to establish a special Zone for Heavy Industry at Sampur in Trincomalee, the Government Information Department said.

This follows an unsolicited proposal from Mitchell Consortium, a multi- national consortium from Australia with partners from Brazil and also from Sri Lanka, to locate a zone which includes a Coke Plant, Iron Ore palletizing plant, Manufacturing Plant, Machinery and Sugar Refinery. Cabinet approval was granted for the Consortium to conduct feasibility studies and submit their reports to the Government. The cabinet proposal in this regard was made by the President. The Government Information Department said there is a growing enthusiasm for private foreign investments in infrastructure development after the dawn of peace in the country.

Investment for Phase 1 of the project will be US $700 million and it will be in a land extent of 97 Sq km.