Acting Director General of Health Services, Dr. T.B. Ananda Jayalal, has issued a statement refuting reports circulating in the media claiming that the Health Ministry was obstructing the importation of salt to Sri Lanka.
Ananda Jayalal said the reports were false, adding that the Health Ministry or any department under its purview were not involved in such actions.
He further said that as of 22 May, a total of 117 importers have submitted requests to the Health Ministry’s Food Control Unit for the importation of salt.
Jayalal revealed that taking into consideration the requests, arrangements have been made for the importation of over 150,000 metric tonnes of salt.
He pointed out that all necessary arrangements have also been made for the clearance of the imported salt upon arrival at the port.
The Acting Director General of Health Services assured that there will be no room for delays during this process.
Sri Lanka has imported a stock of 3,050 metric tons of salt, including 250 metric tons by the private sector and 2,800 metric tons by the National Salt Company, as a solution to the current salt shortage.
The shipment of salt imported from India was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday night (21 May), but has been delayed by a few days due to adverse weather conditions. (Newswire)
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