Is Health Ministry blocking salt imports?

Colombo, May 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Health has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting that it is obstructing the importation of salt into Sri Lanka.

In a statement, Acting Director General of Health Services Dr. T.B. Ananda Jayalal dismissed the allegations as "entirely false," asserting that neither the Ministry nor any department under its authority is involved in such actions.

Dr. Jayalal clarified that, as of May 22, the Ministry’s Food Control Unit had received importation requests from 117 importers. 

In response, he said, the Ministry has already made arrangements to facilitate the import of over 150,000 metric tonnes of salt.

He further assured that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the smooth clearance of the imported salt upon its arrival at local ports.