Raigam saltern targets 50,000mt

"Raigam Eastern Salt Company in Kuchchaweli, Trincomalee with an investment of Rs. 550m has a production target of 50,000 metric tons of salt per annum" said Raigam Group Chairman/CEO, Dr. Ravi Liyanage, speaking at the inauguration of the company's fully fledged office complex and quarters in Trincomalee. He said that the development of the saltern was started in October last year and 30 percent of the construction is already completed and construction will be completed by 2012.

Raigam Group Chairman/CEO Dr. Ravi Liyanage lights the traditional oil lamp at the opening of the office complex

The saltern, in extent of 1,900 acres will be double the size of the prevailing largest saltern in Sri Lanka providing 1,500 employment opportunities to the people in the area once it is fully operational. At present 150 are employed.

Prior to Raigam entering the industry, around 40 percent of the country's total salt requirement was imported. Now it is around 25 percent. The project will enable the country to produce in excess of local demand. The excess can be exported.

Going in line with this project, the excess production of salt will be utilized to set up a chemical plant to produce chlorine, caustic soda, soda ash and HCL which are imported at present, spending substantial amounts of foreign exchange. Through this initiative, Raigam attempts to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient not only in salt but also in salt based chemicals saving millions of dollars.

Liyanage also said that there is potential and capacity to promote tourism coupled with the saltern, which will be the secondary objective of the project.

Many migratory birds from countries such as Australia and Malaysia are attracted to the salt pans because of the accumulating of artemia. These feeding beds will attract many local and foreign tourists who enjoy bird watching. Under the "Nagenahira Navodaya" Program, the Kuchchaweli Tourism Development Zone is planned to be set up with the construction of 80 tourist hotels.

This zone is mapped to be located in front of the saltern and will attract high profile tourists to the area, Liyanage said.

Kuchchaweli is best known for the roaming wild elephant which can be another tourist attraction. Raigam will exploit the opportunity by setting up cottages for tourists to promote elephant watching simultaneously with salt production.