By: Staff Writer
January 21, Colombo (LNW): The recent salt shortage in Sri Lanka, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions during the Maha season, has led the Cabinet to approve the import of 30,000 metric tons (MT) of non-iodised salt as an urgent measure.
This decision, announced on December 18, 2024, aims to stabilize market supply and prevent a severe salt deficit in the first quarter of 2025, but it has sparked public debate and criticism.
Import Measures to Address Shortage
The Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation confirmed that 15,000 MT of salt ordered from India would arrive next week, with a total of 30,000 MT to be imported by January 31, 2025.
Two importers have been authorized for this initiative. While the country is nearly self-sufficient in salt production, producing 180,000 MT annually to meet domestic and industrial demand, the industry is heavily reliant on solar evaporation—a process highly sensitive to weather conditions.
Weather Disruptions Impacting Production
The Puttalam area, a major production hub contributing 45% of the national salt supply, faced severe disruptions due to heavy rains and typhoons during the last monsoon season. This area, spanning 4,000 hectares of salterns, employs around 20,000 families and plays a critical role in Sri Lanka’s salt production.
However, recent adverse weather left parts of the region submerged, jeopardizing salt harvesting and infrastructure.Sri Lanka’s saltern industry, concentrated in coastal regions such as Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Mannar, depends on prolonged dry periods of 40–45 days for efficient solar evaporation.
The increased frequency of erratic rainfall and extreme weather events, linked to global climate change, poses a significant challenge to maintaining consistent production.
Industry Overview and Challenges
Sri Lanka’s salt sector, comprising government and private players, has evolved from colonial-era practices to a modern, well-organized industry. Notable innovations include the production of high-purity vacuum-dried (PVD) salt and exports of specialty products like “Singithi Lunu,” a crystal-clear salt from Bundala Saltern, to markets like Japan.
Despite these advancements, the industry’s dependency on favorable climatic conditions leaves it vulnerable.The decision to allow imports highlights the urgent need to address the sector’s vulnerability to climate variability.
While importing salt to an island nation surrounded by seawater has drawn criticism, the government’s measure is intended as a temporary solution to stabilize supply and prevent economic losses.
Call for Long-Term Solutions
Looking ahead, sustainable strategies are crucial to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s saltern industry against the growing impact of climate change. Stakeholders, including policymakers, industrialists, and academics, must collaborate to enhance the sector’s resilience.
Potential solutions could include diversifying salt production methods, improving saltern infrastructure to withstand flooding, and investing in climate-resilient technologies.
As part of broader efforts, the government must also address the systemic challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns, which threaten the livelihoods of tens of thousands of families and the stability of salt-dependent markets.
While imports provide a temporary fix, a long-term, multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure the industry’s sustainability in an era of increasing climate uncertainty.
Conclusion
The government’s decision to import 30,000 MT of non-iodised salt underscores the critical impact of climate change on Sri Lanka’s salt industry. While this measure ensures short-term stability, it also serves as a wake-up call for a comprehensive strategy to protect and strengthen the sector.
This crisis presents an opportunity to reimagine the future of Sri Lanka’s saltern industry, making it more resilient, innovative, and sustainable.
