Call to expedite de-mining process in saltern areas

Lakshmi de Silva

Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development had requested the Ministry of Defence to expedite the de-mining process in the saltern areas that are to be rehabilitated in the Northern area, Ministry Secretary P. Sivagnanasothy told the Daily News yesterday. When the salterns in the Northern area are back in operation we could cut down salt imports which is around 50,000 to 60,000 tons.

The Elephant Pass saltern and other salterns in the North could produce 40 percent of the demand, he further said. There are 1500 acres of land in Elephant Pass area to be cleared of land mines.

When it is cleared around 2,000 employment opportunities could be generated, he noted.