Customs sticks to rule and importers won’t re-export delayed salt cargo By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe View(s): View(s):While Sri Lanka Customs and importers of salt continue to lock horns over the fate of around 1,700 containers held at the Colombo Port for more than six months, the government is yet to offer a solution to either party. “They could be mixed and used as coconut fertiliser, but even that would need approval from the National Fertiliser Secretariat,” Mr Punchihewa said. Customs said it was instructed to re-export the goods, but that the importers have refused to do so. Another challenge is that, to auction the salt, Customs or SLPA will have to intervene to get clearance from both the SLCI and Health Ministry food inspectors that the salt is suitable for use. Mr Subramaniam admitted that the salt held up was loaded at ports past the June 10 deadline.

Source: Sunday Times January 25, 2026 04:33 UTC