Govt. warns salt importers against price hike amid market shortage

Saturday, 7 June 2025 01:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development issued a stern warning in Parliament yesterday, assuring that the Government will intervene if importers and traders are found to be profiteering from the sake of imported salt during the current shortage.

Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Hesha Vithana, the Minister said that the imported iodised and non-iodised salt should be priced between Rs. 60 and Rs. 85 per kilogram, with an average price of Rs.77.

Minister Samarasinghe said importers had sought permission to import 268,000 tons of salt, only 15,800 tons had been brought into the country as of last Thursday (4).

“However, we learn that salt is being sold at inflated prices ranging from Rs. 120 to Rs. 280 per kilogram in some areas,” he disclosed.

Samarasinghe said the Government did not approve salt imports for the purpose of excessive profit and the decision was made purely to stabilise the market and ensure availability.

The Minister reiterated that the importation was a temporary measure to counter the ongoing local salt shortage, not a licence for exploitative pricing.

He said the Government is closely monitoring the market and will take regulatory or legal action if traders continue to manipulate salt prices.

“We will not allow such undue profits,” he added.

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