The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, this debate is to approve regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act. Owing to the salt shortage, salt was imported without licences. I thank you for the opportunity to comment.

¶ 02 Before coming to power, this Government opposed imports at every rally. Once in office, a rice crisis emerged; they said, for the first time, they would import rice—decided on 70,000 MT, then brought around 100,000 MT, and said no more imports would be needed. Now, due to delayed fertilizer subsidies and supplies, yields fell and again rice imports are planned.

¶ 03 Then coconut—various explanations, even talk of monkey enumeration—no answers. Now salt. The Government blames bad weather and rainfall. The biggest weakness is reactive decision-making; lack of foresight breeds crises and creates space for mafias and private profiteers.

¶ 04 Those who helped bring this Government to power—are you now turning around to reward them? We had rice and coconut crises; now salt. You say rainfall caused the shortage. In 2004 the tsunami came, but production didn’t crash for long. A better example: in the 2017 southern floods, Hambantota saw severe flooding, yet the Hambantota salt pan recorded peak income. Now, with less rainfall than 2017, blaming rain for a shortage is hard to accept.

¶ 05 I table information obtained by a civil activist, Sanjaya Mahawatta, under RTI from the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation. According to STC, the Government imported 12,450 MT of salt. Landed cost per kilo was Rs. 68.75; distribution to private entities cost Rs. 6; total around Rs. 75/kg when handed over to private firms. Even allowing Rs. 10–25 margin and processing, you could retail at around Rs. 100–120. Yet retail prices were Rs. 350–400 per kilo for a period, now Rs. 200–250. Private entities have made excessive profits. Why is the Government silent? A controlled price could be set. Why hasn’t the Consumer Affairs Authority acted? A two-figure price has become three figures.

¶ 06 Regarding Lanka Salt Ltd. of Hambantota: the Minister said it is run by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and mentioned privatization. He pointed at us. No MP from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya was involved in privatizing it. Those decisions were taken by the Government that came to power in 2005—not by us.

¶ 07 As for Hon. Sajith Premadasa’s role: when the Yahapalana Government came in 2015, Hambantota salt production was around 60,000 MT. By 2021 it was about 110,000 MT—nearly doubled—due to correct decisions by the board appointed with his involvement, including clearing 493 acres of scrub to expand evaporation area. Salt production isn’t about fancy technology; it’s about expanding the pan area. That is how output rose from 60,000 to 110,000 MT. We never had to debate salt then. We urge you to act swiftly now. Thank you.