Minister seeks Cabinet approval to commence operations at the Elephant Pass saltern in Northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Minister for Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda is to submit a Cabinet memorandum seeking approval to commence operations at the Elephant Pass saltern in former rebel controlled area.


Work at the Elephant Pass saltern ceased operations in the mid 1980s with the escalation of the war. When it was in operation, the saltern had produced 60,000 to 80,000 tonnes of salt annually, which is 40 per cent of the country's requirement.

Elephant Pass, a strategic location in the battles with the LTTE terrorists, lies in the isthmus of Jaffna peninsula.

According to Devananda, following Cabinet approval the government would also seek expressions of interest from prospective private investors.

Devananda has told the media that while half of the de-mining work in the land where the saltern is located has been completed, the remaining areas are to be de-mined next month.