400 containers of salt stuck at port

14 August 2025 11:30 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

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By T.K.G.Kapila

Colombo, August 14 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Salt Producers Association (SLSPA) has urged the government to enforce the country’s packaging law on Indian salt packets currently distributed locally and to immediately release 400 containers of salt that have been held at the Colombo Port for 45 days.

SLSPA Chairman Ganaka Amarasinghe told the media that salt production has been severely affected since the Yala season in late 2023, with adverse weather in the 2024 Maha season further hampering output. As a result, Sri Lanka has been unable to maintain safe stocks of salt, prompting imports to meet the annual national demand of 185,000 metric tons.

Amarasinghe noted that some imported salt packets from India fail to display information required under Sri Lankan packaging regulations.

National Organizer Chaminda Rusiru Maliyedda said the 400 containers, containing 11,200 metric tons of salt valued at Rs. 800 million, have been delayed due to shipping company issues. “We request the government to release these containers immediately,” he stressed.

Comments - 11

Lion Thursday, 14 August 2025 12:32 PM

Sajith and the opposition will grab this issue, Rilasiri will be the first to start to grab headlines

11 6

Prasad Edirisooriya Friday, 22 August 2025 11:26 PM

Casino Balendran could be of assistance.

0 2

N W GOONEWARDENA Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:50 PM

Casino Balendran is very busy these days promoting the LGBQT community. After all, inclusiveness of the LGBQT community is a CORE VALUE OF THE JOHN KEELLS GROUP ( SEE their website).

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Daya Thursday, 14 August 2025 01:38 PM

Everybody has to follow the country rules and regulations. Rules are implemented to safeguard the interest of the citizens. We should not allow inferior quality goods as well as that does not follow local rules to be let into the country. It is the responsibility of the Importer to ensure the rules are followed.

4 13

sunil Thursday, 14 August 2025 01:49 PM

why are we even importing salt, with such a small population and living in a country surrounded by the ocean

2 20

Arya Thursday, 14 August 2025 01:50 PM

Import Chinese salt, you will have no issues with the packaging or the contents

12 4

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 14 August 2025 06:13 PM

Pacha government has made history by importing everth8bg including salt despite Sri Lanka being surrounded by sea. India on the otherhand has not much sea but they export salt after feeding their 1 billion plus population. This shows what a useless set of guys running the country now. In addition, whatever imported is also stuck in the port for over 45 days which shows incapability of big talk big headed Transport and Ports Minister .

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Another concerned citizen Friday, 15 August 2025 11:21 AM

I'm afraid, the comparison between the sizes of the coastlines is incorrect. India's coastline is said to span 7,516.6 km, while Sri Lanka's is said to be just 1,790 km. India is quite a large country in size compared to Sri Lanka, unless I'm misunderstanding something.

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Hemasiri Thursday, 14 August 2025 10:18 PM

Give a reason why stuck in port please? Who is responsible. That person must be punished, reprimanded or be dismissed. That person has done it to bring disrepute to the government.

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Para Li Thursday, 21 August 2025 01:48 PM

With respect to imported goods, particularly those originating from India, it is essential that all imports comply fully with Sri Lanka’s established legal and regulatory frameworks. Any consignments found to be in breach of these standards should be subject to immediate return or removal from circulation. Furthermore, individuals or entities advocating for the release or legitimization of non-compliant goods—despite clear violations—may be acting in contravention of ethical and legal norms. Such conduct warrants scrutiny, and those found to be facilitating or endorsing unlawful trade should be disqualified from engaging in commercial activity within the jurisdiction. This position reflects a commitment to lawful governance, economic fairness, and the protection of national interests.

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N W GOONEWARDENA Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:44 PM

Why not? The more salt containers stuck in the port, the more dubious, red sticker containers that can be whisked away without inspection by customs. The morale of the story is if you want to clear questionable containers expeditiously from the Port, create an uncleared queue, whether it be salt or cucumber!

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