Salt export to Japan

By L. S Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

'Hambantota Mahalevaya is the biggest saltern in Sri Lanka which produces 70 percent of the country's salt requirement. According to the historical sources natural salt production from sea water is one of the traditional industries coming from thousands of years in Sri Lanka.

Under the guidance of then labour minister - President Mahinda Rajapaksa Lanka Salt Limited - financed by ETF, purchased the Hambantota Mahalevaya when the government privatised the salt industry in 1995.

Under the new management Lanka Salt Ltd has won the highest ISO certificate - ISO 22000 for food items International Council for control of Iodine Definency Disorders - ICC IDD - SLS certificate also won by the LSL.

LSL Chairman Mahinda Gunawardena said that three year development plan "Salt city in the Mahalevaya Saltern" will be completed at the end of this year.

Three year plan launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2007 targeted achieving five main objectives. Installation of new machinery and the construction of new buildings which are being completed under the three year plan will be commissioned before the end of this year, Chairman said.

New salt iodine manufacturing plant which will produce 15 mts of iodised salt per hour, had been installed. A complete mechanised centre for farmer Agro based equipment repair was also set up. This centre will immensely help farmers of the area. The construction of full pledged administrative complex for the company also now completed, Chairman said.

In addition to 1000 acre Mahalevaya - the main saltern of the LSL, there are two mini saltern namely Palatupana and Bundala. Palatupana and Bundala salterns which have been developed by providing infrastructure facilities during the last three years. Herbal bath salt is a new form of salt use for medical purposes and Palatupana saltern developed to produce herbal bath salt. A team of three chemists are being assigned for the project which is being assisted by Navinna Bandaranaike Ayurvedic research centre. Bundala saltern has been developed as a Eco friendly saltern under the three year plan, Chairman said.

Eco friendly Bundala Saltern produces a special salt for Japanese market which is a very sensitive market. LSL Assistant General Manager production - K. M. Dharmadasa said "Singithi Lunu" special salt variety is being produced in Bandula saltern exclusively for a Japanese order.

Crystal clear "Singithi Lunu" salt is a product of a eco-friendly environment which is endemic to Bundala. Singithi Lunu production cost is higher than the normal salt production cost, he said.

"Salt is a human requirement specially natural salt produced from sea water has a very high demand in the international market, he said.

AGM Production - Dharmadasa said that Bundala levaya is an amazing gift by the nature to mother Lanka with its scenic beauty and its panoramic location.