Starting tomorrow (03), the Sri Lankan government will begin to open tenders for the import of 30,000 metric tons of salt.
There will be two stages to the salt importation process: the first phase will involve the importation of 20,000 metric tons of salt, and the second phase will involve the importation of 10,000 metric tons of salt to the island.
As a result, starting tomorrow, the tenders for the import of 20,000 metric tons of salt will be opened.
According to reports, the Ministry of Industries would oversee the distribution of the imported salt and ensure that it is exclusively used for industrial reasons.
To alleviate the persistent salt scarcity in the market, the Cabinet of Ministers authorized the State Trading Corporation to import up to 30,000 metric tons of non-iodized salt on December 19, 2024.
In response to rumors of a shortage, T. Nandana Thilaka, the chairman of the Lanka Salt Company in Hambantota, recently advised the public not to panic buy or hoard salt. He assured them that the company currently has 6,000 metric tons of salt in stock, enough to last until January.
However, the chairman declared that production is anticipated to start by March 2025, while development work for the Jaffna salt pans is scheduled to start by mid-January.
The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development opened an inquiry into a reported drop in salt output in the nation earlier in December of last year.
According to reports from the salt production companies, the main reason for the 40% decrease in output during the previous two years was unfavorable weather. According to reports, the local supply of salt has already been affected by the drop.
