Private companies have submitted a proposal to the government seeking permission to import salt, citing difficulties in maintaining local production levels.
Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, confirmed that the request arises from practical challenges in domestic salt production. The proposal is under review, with a final decision pending consultations with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development.
Current Salt Reserves
R.M. Gunaratne, General Manager of Lanka Salt Limited, assured that the country holds reserves of 12 metric tons of salt, sufficient to meet consumption demands for the next two months. However, he highlighted that recent adverse weather has negatively impacted production, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the coming months.
To mitigate the risk of shortages, Gunaratne has also sought government approval for salt imports. While the current stock levels are adequate, fears of scarcity have reportedly led some traders to raise prices.
The government will make a decision on the matter after further discussions with the relevant stakeholders.
