Sri Lanka's National Salt Limited to Double Production Capacity via Public-Private Partnership

Strategic Insights -

Sri Lanka's National Salt Limited is set to significantly increase its salt production capacity through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project. This move comes in response to a sudden scarcity in local salt production, prompting the government to import salt and drive up prices for consumers. National Salt Limited's General Manager, M J T Manzil, revealed that the company plans to boost the land area of the Northern Saltern in Elephant Pass, a major production facility currently producing around 17,000 metric tons of raw salt annually.

Key Takeaways:

  • National Salt Limited plans to double its production capacity through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, targeting an additional 30,000 metric tons of salt per annum.
  • The company aims to increase the land area of the Northern Saltern in Elephant Pass from 1,000 acres to 2,000 acres.
  • The major production facilities at Mannar and Elephant Pass are expected to produce 5,500 metric tons and 22,000 metric tons of raw salt annually, respectively, by 2025.
  • National Salt Limited has recorded a revenue of 597 million rupees and a profit before tax of 303 million rupees for the 2024/25 financial year.
  • The company aims to increase revenue to 700 million rupees by the end of March 2026 and has already earned 251 million rupees in revenue so far this year, with a net profit of 140 million rupees.

Statistics:

  • 5,500 metric tons: Production capacity of Mannar saltern annually.
  • 17,000 MT: Current production capacity of Elephant Pass saltern per annum.
  • 22,000 MT: Targeted production capacity of Elephant Pass saltern by 2025.
  • 30,000 MT: Additional salt production capacity targeted via PPP.
  • 1,000 acres: Current land area of Northern Saltern in Elephant Pass.
  • 2,000 acres: Planned expansion of land area of Northern Saltern.
  • 597 million rupees: Revenue earned by National Salt Limited in 2024/25 financial year.
  • 303 million rupees: Profit before tax earned by National Salt Limited in 2024/25 financial year.
  • 700 million rupees: Targeted revenue for National Salt Limited by 2026.
  • 251 million rupees: Revenue earned by National Salt Limited so far in 2025-2026 financial year.
  • 140 million rupees: Net profit earned by National Salt Limited so far in 2025-2026 financial year.

Sources:

  • "Sri Lanka's state-owned National Salt Limited is in the process of doubling its production capacity by boosting the land area of Northern Saltern in Elephant Pass via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, a top official said." (EconomyNext, no date provided)
  • "National Salt Limited (NSL) has its major production facilities at Mannar and Elephant Pass in the Northern Province at present In terms of production, the Mannar saltern produces about 5,500 metric tons (MT) of raw salt annually, while the Elephant Pass saltern currently produces around 17,000 MT per annum, with plans in place to increase Elephant Pass to 22,000 MT/year in 2025." (EconomyNext, no date provided)
  • "We are planning another 1,000 acre of saltern in Elephant Pass in addition to the existing 1,000 acres. We have planned it with public-private-partnership. If that saltern comes, we should be able to produce another 30,000 MT of salt annually..." (M J T Manzil, General Manager of National Salt Limited, EconomyNext, no date provided)
  • "The company has earned record 597 million rupees revenue and 303 million profit before tax in the 2024/25 financial year, he said. Now we have targeted 700 million rupee as revenue in the year ending in March 2026." (M J T Manzil, General Manager of National Salt Limited, EconomyNext, no date provided)