The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, and the 2025 Regulations No. 06, authorization has been given to import bulk salt without licences and without quantitative limits, effective 19 May 2025.

¶ 02 A new President and Government were appointed last year, now approaching a year in office. Yet domestic production and local industries have declined, with a tilt toward imports. Before coming to power, at election time and while in Opposition, they strongly opposed imports of essentials. The National People’s Power (NPP) policy declaration states that building a production economy is its core objective. It also says that due to 76 years of short-sighted governance, domestic production has collapsed, leading to import of rice and salt. However, contrary to the promise not to import rice, during the first five months of 2025, the Government imported USD 58.1 million worth of rice—USD 29.5 million more than the previous year. Beyond rice, coconut nuts and milk powder were also imported.

¶ 03 Today we discuss salt. Large quantities have been brought from India. Seven months into the year, the Government has still failed to resolve the salt issue. For Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, having to import salt is regrettable. Even in past governments, small quantities were imported, but stability returned within one or two months. Now, after six to seven months, the issue persists.

¶ 04 On prices: a kilo of salt landed from India costs Rs. 68.75; adding transport, iodization, electricity, labour and packing, the cost is about Rs. 90–100. Yet retail was Rs. 320 per kilo. Why is the Consumer Affairs Authority not acting? Why allow such large profits? We ask the Government to act swiftly. Thank you.