First ever table salt refinery opened

Tamara Nissanka

The First ever table salt refinery in Sri Lanka was opened on August 11 in Puttalm by Raigam Wayamba Saltern (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary company of the kingdom of Raigam. Creating at least 200 new job opportunities, the project was launched as a BoI initiative and Rs. 500 million was invested. The refinery occupies an area of about 500 acres.

Addressing a press conference following the event, Chairman/CEO of Kingdom of Raigam, Dr. Ravi Liyanage said that they decided to be the pioneers in establishing a table salt refinery, as a step towards increasing foreign exchange to the country.

“The opening of the refinery ensures further economic independence to the country,” he said. Sri Lanka has so far imported table salt from India. Malaysia and Thailand. “Our salt manufacturing process will also help to reduce Salt imports in the future,” he added.

The Saltern uses the latest “KREB SWISS SALEX” technology to ensure fine quality. Salt production in the country had been in a primitive stage, resulting in production of unhealthy salt mixed with mud. The newly opened facility has the potential of manufacturing 100% pure high quality salt with a production capacity of 150 metric tons per day.

Established in 1997, Raigam, were the pioneers in introducing Soya to the Sri Lankan consumer.