The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 [6.11 p.m.]

¶ 02 Mr. Presiding Member, I consider the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. Imran Maharoof to be very timely. I personally know that many in Kinniya live by the fisheries industry, and salt is crucial to them. The recent shortage of salt caused them much hardship. We have already identified several suitable areas for salt production. In Vilveli village and in the area called Kachchakoditheevu, small-scale salterns are already operating. However, inadequate technical support remains a major issue. Therefore, they need the assistance of experienced producers and experts to obtain technical know-how on how to improve. We are already discussing this. By coordinating with National Salt Limited and bringing together artisans and workers, we can provide technical support to these villages to produce salt.

¶ 03 I invite you to identify any other such areas and raise them at the District Coordinating Committee so we can plan accordingly.

¶ 04 Next, regarding food safety and value addition to salt-based products, a key issue is the lack of laboratory facilities in these areas. We need to secure support from the Health Ministry to establish the necessary labs. I believe we can accomplish this.

¶ 05 We also need to organize the salt producers’ associations. Hon. Rishad, even in Puttalam, there are many issues with those operating outside the producers’ associations—we all know this. Therefore, we must involve the association to create market opportunities.

¶ 06 On storage facilities, as you know, people currently use temporary sheds made with coconut fronds near the salterns. We must assist them to improve these facilities.

¶ 07 A further significant issue is the shortage of trained workers. Even if we try to recruit new people, they realize this is a difficult job. At Alimankada Saltern too, workers operate under tough conditions. We hope to provide them more facilities. Several proposals have already come in. We should give them practical training and facilities—including appropriate clothing—because they cannot work in ordinary attire. If we provide such support, they can perform better.

¶ 08 Under our Ministry, we also have concessional loan schemes. If people are ready to establish private salterns in their areas or on available land, we can provide soft loans. If you can give us a list of those in Kinniya who are ready to proceed, we can also resolve transport issues with minimal inconvenience. Even supplying salt to locally produced dried fish and fish in Kinniya will meet a considerable share of the requirement.

¶ 09 We can provide loans up to Rs. 25 million at about 7 percent interest. I believe Rs. 25 million is a reasonably adequate facility for them. In addition to loans for entrepreneurs, we can introduce a separate package, under conditions, for salt-industry workers to improve their livelihoods and obtain necessities—such as a bicycle for transport, if required.

¶ 10 Youth are very important for this industry. There is a large youth population in Kinniya, with many unemployed. We can involve them too. If we can form an organization or association of salt producers, we can plan effectively, and I ask the Hon. Member to take the lead in this.

¶ 11 Therefore, this Adjournment Motion is timely and constructive. If we commence production in Kinniya itself, we can meet much of the area’s own salt requirement. I propose we begin in Vilveli village as a model unit. Thank you, Mr. Presiding Member.

¶ 12 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 13 Parliament adjourned accordingly at 6.15 p.m. until 9.00 a.m. on Saturday, 22nd November, 2025, pursuant to the Resolution of Parliament of 13th November, 2025.