23,000 MT of imported salt held at port over quality and deadline violations

By Vimukthi S. Rodrigo

A stock of 22,950 metric tons of imported salt, valued at over Rs. 910 million, has been detained by Sri Lanka Customs after being found non-compliant with national standards and imported after the government’s permitted deadline, according to Customs sources.

Officials said the shipment, one of the largest consignments imported this year, was rejected for release due to a lack of certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and for violating import deadlines imposed following the temporary relaxation of salt import restrictions earlier this year.

Sources revealed that at one stage, the SLSI refused to issue a standardisation certificate for the entire consignment stored on a vessel, indicating that the salt stock did not meet the required quality standards. 

The government had lifted restrictions on salt imports until June 10, following a Cabinet decision on May 15, in response to a severe salt shortage caused by adverse weather conditions that disrupted local production. At that time, permission was granted to import up to 150,000 metric tons of salt to stabilise the market.

In total, during the first nine months of 2025, Sri Lanka imported 143,655 metric tons of salt, valued at Rs. 5.7 billion,  including taxes. Of this, 120,705 metric tons have been cleared by Customs so far, officials said.