The Lanka Salt Company has announced a reduction in the prices of iodized mixed Lak Salt.

The Chairman of the company stated that the price of a 400g packet of iodized salt powder has been reduced by Rs. 20, to Rs. 100.

He further said that the price of a 1kg packet of iodized salt powder has been reduced by Rs. 30, to Rs. 200.

Addressing the media today, he said that the price of a 1kg crystal salt packet has been reduced to Rs. 150.

Noting that the price reduction will be effective starting next week, he added that a 400g packet of the company’s salt powder will be available at Sathosa outlets for Rs. 90.

He further explained that the price reduction was introduced to provide relief to the public, as salt harvesting has already begun at the Mahalevaya, Bundala, and Palatupana salterns in Hambantota. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Salt Producers Association (SLSPA) states that currently, 400 containers, comprising nearly 28,000 metric tons of imported salt, are stuck at the Colombo Port without clearance. 

National Organizer of the Association, Chaminda Rusiru Maliyedda, told the media that due to the recent salt shortage in Sri Lanka, the association intervened to import salt from India. 

He said, however, 400 containers with imported salt have been stuck at the Colombo Port for over 45 days. 

“The issue has arisen due to issues stemming from the Bill of Lading date. There are around 28,000 metric tons in one container. The primary fault is with the shipping company,” he said. 

Chaminda Rusiru Maliyedda further said that, as businesses that pay their due taxes, they expect a concession from the government in this regard. 

“As a solution to this issue, the Finance Ministry or the Health Ministry must intervene and release the load. The benefit is for consumers, as we intend to sell the imported salt for a reasonable price,” he said. 

Chaminda Rusiru Maliyedda also revealed that despite several requests being made from the authorities for a discussion on the matter, they have yet to receive any response in this regard. 

Sri Lanka opted to import salt after a significant decline in local salt production was reported due to various reasons, including the impact of weather. 

As such, the government opted to import salt from India, with two batches having arrived at the Colombo Port. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says legal action will be initiated against importers and local manufacturers who distribute salt products that do not comply with mandatory labelling regulations.

The CAA says legal action will be taken against those selling salt packets in the market without proper labelling, including missing details about the importer or local manufacturer and the retail price.

Certain importers and local manufacturers are distributing salt products without adhering to the regulations, it said. 

Instructing retailers and distributors to ensure they possess a valid invoice with the supplier’s details and pricing, the CAA said that failure to maintain such documentation may also result in legal consequences.

The CAA further urged the public to refrain from purchasing or selling such improperly labelled products. (Newswire)

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The Salt Manufacturers’ Association has decided to impose maximum retail prices for salt products and reduce prices. 

As such, the following maximum retail prices will be imposed:

• Crystal salt – Rs. 180 per kg
• Table salt – Rs. 240 per kg
• A 400g pack of table salt – Rs. 120 

The decision has been taken following discussions with the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). (Newswire)

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Acting Director General of Health Services, Dr. T.B. Ananda Jayalal, has issued a statement refuting reports circulating in the media claiming that the Health Ministry was obstructing the importation of salt to Sri Lanka.

Ananda Jayalal said the reports were false, adding that the Health Ministry or any department under its purview were not involved in such actions.

He further said that as of 22 May, a total of 117 importers have submitted requests to the Health Ministry’s Food Control Unit for the importation of salt.

Jayalal revealed that taking into consideration the requests, arrangements have been made for the importation of over 150,000 metric tonnes of salt.

He pointed out that all necessary arrangements have also been made for the clearance of the imported salt upon arrival at the port.

The Acting Director General of Health Services assured that there will be no room for delays during this process.

Sri Lanka has imported a stock of 3,050 metric tons of salt, including 250 metric tons by the private sector and 2,800 metric tons by the National Salt Company, as a solution to the current salt shortage.

The shipment of salt imported from India was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday night (21 May), but has been delayed by a few days due to adverse weather conditions. (Newswire)

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The National Salt Company says that the arrival of a stock of imported salt to Sri Lanka may be delayed by a few more days due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

A shipment of salt imported from India, as a solution to the current salt shortage, was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka last night (21 May).

A stock of 3,050 metric tons of salt, including 250 metric tons of salt imported from the private sector and 2,800 metric tons of salt imported by the National Salt Company, was to arrive in the country. 

The National Salt Company stated that, however, the salt stock may be delayed for a few days due to adverse weather conditions.

Stating that salt will continue to be imported thereafter, the company added that this will alleviate the salt shortage in the market. (Newswire)

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A stock of salt imported from India, as a solution to the current salt shortage, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tonight, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe said.

A stock of 3,050 metric tons of salt is scheduled to be brought into the country tonight (21 May).

It is reported that this stock includes 250 metric tons of salt imported from the private sector and 2,800 metric tons of salt imported by the National Salt Company.

The country’s monthly salt requirement is 15,000 metric tons, and the annual requirement is 180,000 metric tons of salt.

Sri Lanka carries out its salt harvest in two seasons, Yala and Maha. The Yala season harvest is from mid-February to mid-April, and the Maha season harvest is from mid-June to mid-October.

However, due to heavy rains, the expected salt harvest was not achieved during the Yala and Maha seasons last year, prompting the importation of salt to meet the country’s needs. (Newswire)

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Hambantota Lanka Salt Company has decided to increase the price of salt.

The price hike is attributed to the increased cost of imported salt, the company said.

Accordingly, the price of a 400g packet of powdered salt has been increased by Rs. 20, from Rs. 100 to Rs. 120.

Meanwhile, the price of a one-kilogram packet of crystal salt has risen by Rs. 60, from Rs. 120 to Rs. 180.

However, the Hambantota Salt Company said that this price increase is a temporary measure. (Newswire)

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The first batch of imported salt, totalling 1,485 metric tons, arrived in Sri Lanka today, the State Trading Corporation (STC) announced.

The Cabinet of Ministers had recently approved the import of 30,000 metric tons of salt.

The move was to address the current shortage of salt in the local market due to challenges faced by local salterns during the recent monsoon season. 

As such, Cabinet approval has been granted for the import of salt from India until 28 February 2025. 

Meanwhile, providing an update on the salt imports last week, STC Chairman Ravindra Fernando said an additional 12,500 metric tons is expected by January 31. 

He further said that two importers have been authorized to import salt from India to meet the country’s demand. (Newswire)

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According to the Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the import must be completed by January 31, 2025. (Newswire)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning on health risks due to the intake of salt.

WHO has warned that too much salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

In a Twitter video message, the WHO urged the public to reduce their salt intake to less than 5g per day.

Adults have been advised to consume less than a teaspoon of salt per day. 

The public has been urged to be mindful of their salt intake in order to look after their heart. (NewsWire)

Reduce your salt intake to less than 5g per day!

Too much salt can increase risk of high blood pressure, stroke & heart disease.

Look after your heart pic.twitter.com/rIb4k9o1eN

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) October 23, 2022

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