Elephant Pass Saltern to commence production soon

Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda on an observation tour to the Elephant Pass Saltern which had been completely destroyed by the LTTE, said rehabilitation work on the saltern would commence soon and production begin in the first quarter of this year. The Minister said the aim of the observation tour was for him to obtain first-hand information on the rehabilitation work needed for the recommencement of the project.

He instructed officials to make arrangements to provide drinking water, electricity, sanitary facilities and rest rooms for the employees, tractors and other machinery and equipment needed for the commencement of the project.The Minister stressed that all necessities for the recommencement of the saltern needed to be in place during the first quarter of this year. Thereafter, the Minister proceeded to observe the Kuringativu Saltern and again emphasised the necessity of making available all facilities for the commencement of production of this saltern as well without any waste of time. He said the salt produced should be of international standard for earning more profits.

The Minister pointed out that once the production of this saltern gets off the ground, thousands of job opportunities would be created for young men and women all over the country, which would contribute considerable to the national income.