The plant – which is compliant with European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP) and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-Operation Scheme (PIC/S) standards - will make penicillin-based antibiotics for the local market.
According to Navesta the facility will initially manufacture 50 million vials per year. The firm said it plans to increase production capacity three-fold in the next few years.
Company chairman Sanjaya Jayaratne said: “Navesta’s ultimate aim is to provide a reliable, vertically integrated local supply chain which will provide accessibility of high quality pharmaceuticals for our citizens.”
In 2015, the Sri Lankan Government introduced laws designed to encourage drug production in the country.
Navesta said the regulations had prompted it to invest LKR1.4bn ($9.1m) in construction and development of the facility