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Privatisation of ‘Lanka Salt’ opposed
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Both management and workers are protesting moves to privatize Lanka Salt company
Plans to privatise ‘Lanka Salt’ in Hambantota has drawn protests from workers and the management alike, claiming that the livelihoods of those who depended on it for several years would be affected.
Management has pointed out that the number of employees will be cut if the proposed plan to privatise Lanka Salt goes ahead.
General Manager of Lanka Salt -Sunimal Ariyasena- said plans were underway to list the company in the Stock Exchange, which in effect meant the private sector would take control of the company. ‘In a district like Hambantota where people depend on this company for a livelihood, this decision will have an adverse affect on the workers, he said.
‘We are well aware of the need for salt in the country. We need to produce 126,000 of metric tons to meet this target. Last year 106,000 mt. tons of salt was was produced. This amounts to around 80 per cent of the country’s requirements.
After a period of around 30 years we have expanded the saltern. Therefore we can produce 130,000 mt. tons and meet the entire needs of the country’, he said.
Employees of the company also staged a protest over plans to privatise the company.
Pix and text by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.