The Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I move the following Adjournment Motion.

¶ 02 "Since the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat in Trincomalee District is situated in the dry zone, it is a suitable area for salt production. Many people here are engaged in salt production. However, due to lack of proper guidance, low level of technical facilities and inadequate government support, they are unable to properly carry out this industry. It is the responsibility of the Government to regularize this. We have been repeatedly saying that while surrounded by marine resources, we are importing salt. How much priority we give to domestic salt production is something to consider here. Therefore, we must pay greater attention to the following:

¶ 03 1. In the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat Division, where many lagoons and waterways exist, suitable sites should be identified for salt production.

¶ 04 2. Provide modern technical training related to salt production to producers.

¶ 05 3. To ensure food safety, establish laboratory facilities for iodization, purification of salt and grading.

¶ 06 4. Create market opportunities for salt production.

¶ 07 5. Provide storage facilities for salt.

¶ 08 6. Provide new trainings to salt workers.

¶ 09 7. Provide adequate financial assistance to the entrepreneurs engaged in this industry.

¶ 10 8. As loan facilities are provided to farmers, make bank loan facilities easily available to those engaged in the salt industry.

¶ 11 9. Encourage youth to engage in this industry."

¶ 12 Hon. Presiding Member, today large-scale salt production is taking place in the Kuchchaveli area of Trincomalee District, making a significant contribution to national salt production. Similarly, in Kinniya, around 300 families are engaged in small-scale salt production over about 60 acres in Kachchakoditheevu, Ponnarentivu, Vilveli, Munaichchenai and Kaakkamunai.

¶ 13 They use brackish lagoon water and set up salt pans to produce salt. Many of them lack adequate training or technical knowledge. The salt they produce is sold at low prices in the district mainly for dried fish production. They face major issues: lack of storage facilities, lack of machinery to process and grade the salt, and lack of proper guidance.

¶ 14 They also request basic infrastructure: sluice gate facilities to take in water at the right time and discharge it when necessary; about 2 km of internal access roads across the 60-acre area; and lighting for night work. Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Salt Corporation, if adequate training, technical assistance and storage facilities are provided, salt produced here can be linked directly to the national market. I urge the Hon. Minister to take prompt action to resolve their issues and to enable them to upgrade the quality of their production to market standards. An article regarding these issues has appeared in an English newspaper; I submit it to be recorded in the Hansard.

¶ 15 We emphasize again that proper procedures should be arranged for these workers to carry out their livelihood. In the past there was a shortage and demand for salt in the country. We face such problems today because we have failed to properly utilize the resources in our area. Therefore, I request the Hon. Minister to address this matter in the best possible manner and provide a suitable solution without delay. The area is ideal for salt production; the Government should ensure the enabling environment to improve with new technology. I have raised the problems faced by those engaged in salt production in Kinniya through this Adjournment Motion and look forward to appropriate action and an early solution. Thank you.

¶ 16 [Placed in the Library.]