Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) – Wimal Weerawansa has stated that while it took 76 years for the price of a salt packet to reach Rs.60, the current government managed to raise the price to Rs. 400 within just seven months.
He made these remarks yesterday (May 15) during a media briefing held at the NFF headquarters in Colombo.
Weerawansa heavily criticized the current government, saying that although it operates under the banner of a so-called “renaissance”, it is in fact a government that fails to take any meaningful decisions.
“It took 76 years for a packet of salt to cost Rs.60. However, within 07 months, this government had raised the price to Rs.350 – Rs.400. This is the drama of the so-called renaissance.”
He also ridiculed the government’s narrative that the salt shortage is somehow part of a shift toward healthy eating habits.
Weerawansa emphasized that the current crisis reflects the government’s incompetence and insensitivity to the grave economic hardships faced by the people.
No salt produced this year – Lanka Salt Chairman
Meanwhile, Chairman of Lanka Salt Ltd. – Mr. D. Nandana Thilaka has stated no salt has been produced this year due to continuous adverse weather and rainfall.
He said that this adverse weather conditions has affected not only Hambantota but many other salt producing areas including Elephant Pass.
He further explained that in 2024, the company had planned to produce 125,000 MT of salt, but adverse weather conditions only allowed for the production of 40,000 MT.
Usually, salt harvesting starts in March every year, but the poor weather conditions have hindered this, according to the chairman.
While there has been a shortage of salt crystals in the market, table salt stocks remain unaffected, he clarified.
He further stated that Lanka Salt Ltd. had issued 100,000 packets of 400g table salt to Lanka Sathosa on May 14, and another 100,000 packets were to be issued yesterday (May 15).
Suspended Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, who was produced before courts today, has been further remanded until June 25.
(Previous news 2025 June 11 – 12.26.p.m.)
Suspended Prisons Chief before courts today as well
Suspended Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, who was arrested by the CID on June 09, has been transferred to the Welikada Prison Hospital under special security measures.
The move follows a court order calling for special security measures during his custody.
He was initially taken to the Colombo Remand Prison yesterday (June 10) afternoon and was held there until about 5:00pm before being transferred to a secure ward at Welikada Prison Hospital, where he remains under tight security.
He is to be produced before court today (June 11).
Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Anuradhapura Prison, who is currently in remand custody and held at a secure location in Dumbara Prison, is expected to be produced before the Anuradhapura Court today.
Separately, Prisons Commissioner for Operations, Intelligence and Security – Gamini Dissanayake, has been summoned to the CID today for questioning regarding the recent release of an inmate under the Presidential Pardon, which had sparked controversy.
He was questioned for about six hours on June 09 as well.
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval to increase electricity tariffs by 15%.
Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo, Chairman of the PUCSL – Prof. K. P. L. Chandralal said the revision for the second half of 2025 will be in effect from midnight today (June 11).
