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Sri Lankan Government Refutes Claims of Sulfuric Acid Factory in Pooneryn
False claims about the planned construction of a sulfuric acid factory in Pooneryn are circulating widely on social media, prompting government officials to issue formal denials about the purported project.
The viral posts claim that a fully state-owned sulfuric acid factory is scheduled to begin operations in Pooneryn on April 10, producing 100 metric tons of sulfuric acid monthly and creating 300 direct jobs. According to these posts, the entire production would be exported to the United States, generating approximately $200 million annually. The claims also suggest the project is being supervised by Professor Gomika Udugamasooriya, Senior Presidential Advisor on Science and Technology.
When contacted by fact-checkers, Professor Udugamasooriya categorically denied these assertions. “This post is completely false and was created to mislead and cause issues for me and the government,” he stated. The Presidential Media Division has also confirmed the information is inaccurate.
Sadanandan Nesarajan, Chairman of Paranthan Chemicals Company Limited, further clarified that there are no plans to build any chemical factory in the Pooneryn area, nor are there plans to produce sulfuric acid at the Paranthan factory, where construction resumed in January after a 40-year hiatus.
The image accompanying the viral posts, purportedly showing the new factory site, actually depicts the world’s largest wet gas sulfuric acid plant located in China, with a production capacity of 300,000 tons, further confirming the deceptive nature of the claims.
The source of the misinformation appears to be a distortion of statements made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a July 2024 rally in Gampaha. During this event, Dissanayake spoke about restarting the Paranthan chemical factory and mentioned plans to produce sulfuric acid. However, he never specified Pooneryn as the location for a new sulfuric acid plant.
In January 2026, construction did begin at the long-dormant Paranthan chemical factory site, with an investment of 6,900 million rupees. This facility, scheduled for completion within 30 months, will produce Poly Aluminium Chloride and Hydrochloric Acid for the local market—not sulfuric acid as claimed in the viral posts.
Professor Udugamasooriya revealed that actual plans for sulfuric acid production are centered on Kappalthurai in Trincomalee, not Pooneryn. “Steps are currently being taken to start a factory for phosphate fertilizer and sulfuric acid production in Kappalthurai. Expressions of interest have already been solicited, and requests for proposals have been invited from selected investors,” he explained.
Ananda Premakumara, Chairman of the Lanka Phosphate Company, elaborated on the reasoning behind selecting Kappalthurai for the future sulfuric acid plant. “The main reason is that sulfuric acid is primarily used to make single superphosphate fertilizer, so it makes sense to build the plant near that factory. Additionally, Trincomalee port’s proximity facilitates easier transport of imported sulfur needed for production. The plant also requires substantial water resources, making a coastal location preferable for environmental approval.”
The project will likely be implemented in two phases, with the single superphosphate plant constructed first, followed by the sulfuric acid production facility.
Currently, Sri Lanka meets its sulfuric acid requirements through imports from countries including India, China, Malaysia, and France, highlighting the strategic importance of developing domestic production capacity for this vital industrial chemical.
Officials are concerned about the spread of such misinformation, particularly when it falsely attributes statements to government representatives and creates unrealistic expectations among citizens about industrial development projects and job creation.
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9 Comments
This highlights the need to be vigilant about verifying claims, especially on social media. I’m glad the authorities were able to swiftly address and debunk these false reports about a sulfuric acid factory.
With so much misinformation circulating online, it’s refreshing to see the government take a proactive stance in addressing these false reports. Transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust.
Fact-checking is crucial, especially for sensitive industrial projects. I’m glad the Sri Lankan authorities were able to quickly refute these false claims and provide clarity.
As someone interested in the mining and commodities sector, I’m always eager for factual updates. It’s good to see the government taking steps to correct this misinformation campaign.
Clearly these claims about a sulfuric acid factory in Pooneryn were completely fabricated. I’m glad the authorities took the time to officially refute them and provide the correct facts.
Glad to see the Sri Lankan government refuting these false claims quickly. Spreading misinformation about industrial projects can be damaging, so it’s important to set the record straight.
Spreading misinformation can have serious consequences, so I’m glad the government moved quickly to address these reports. Maintaining transparency is key, especially in the mining and chemicals industries.
It’s important that the public has access to accurate, verified information, especially on topics related to the mining and commodities sectors. I appreciate the government’s efforts to set the record straight.
I appreciate the transparency from the officials in denying these rumors. It’s crucial that the public has accurate information, especially regarding sensitive industrial projects. Fact-checking is so important these days.