NSL not to rely on salt imports; plans to revive existing salterns

• New table salt plant to be established

By Huzefa Aliasger

The Chairman of National Salt Limited (NSL), Gayan Wellala, told the Daily Mirror that NSL will not rely on importing salt; instead, it will establish a new table salt plant, which is expected to produce five tonnes of salt per hour.

Due to the recent shortage, the Cabinet approved a proposal to allow the import of 30,000 tonnes of salt. The first shipment, consisting of 1,485 tonnes (MT) of salt imported from India, arrived in Sri Lanka on January 27 to address the country’s salt shortage.

NSL has completed 90% of the renovation of the Elephant Pass Saltern, after which it aims to produce 20,000 tonnes of salt per year.

Additionally, a new table salt plant is estimated to generate five tonnes of salt per hour this year. The chairman stated that it is “a value addition” to the current salt production. Addressing questions regarding salt being openly available in the ocean, the chairman said, “The mechanism to harvest salt has not been proactively explored. In response, NSL is reviving old salterns.

The potential is huge, but the mechanism needs further development.” The salt shortage has been attributed to adverse weather conditions over the past three years, which have led to decreased production. However, the shortage is expected to be temporary.