The State Trading Corporation (STC) has dismissed allegations that salt imports intended for Puttalam Salt Ltd. have been diverted to private entities.

When contacted, STC Chairman Ravindra Fernando said: “We have followed proper procedures and we will be issuing a statement on the matter in the coming week.”

The comment was in response to media reports in which former MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chinthaka Mayadunne has alleged that a portion of these imports, originally intended for Puttalam Salt Ltd., have been diverted to private entities.

“There is no discrepancy in the distribution of imported salt. The STC has operated within standard guidelines, ensuring fair allocation among stakeholders. However, we take these concerns seriously and will study the issue further before making an official statement next week,” Fernando said. 

Meanwhile, Lanka Salt Ltd. CEO Dr. Ajith Shanmuganathan said that the imported salt had been evenly distributed among major salt manufacturers, including Lanka Salt, National Salt, and Puttalam Salt. Private sector entities had also been included in the allocation, he said. 

He also confirmed that 14 container loads of imported salt had been received so far by Lanka Salt, Sri Lanka’s largest salt manufacturing company, each containing approximately 27 MT of salt.

Deputy Minister of Food Security R.M. Jayawardana, when contacted, claimed that there was no clear information on the allegation, but assured that he would comment on the matter once he had received clear details.