Severe salt crisis hits this country which supported India during recent conflict with Pakistan, Modi govt decides to…, country is…

Sri Lanka Salt Shortage: Sri Lanka, India’s closest neighbour in the Indian Ocean which supported New Delhi during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, is facing a critical shortage of salt, due to which the prices of the kitchen staple have tripled, and even quadrupled during the past few days.

Sri Lanka salt shortage

According to reports, heavy rains have washed away the salt accumulated on the sea shores, and halted the production of the edible mineral, creating a severe salt crisis in the island nation. The prices of salt have surged to a whopping Rs 145 per kg due to the shortage, even as hoarders and black marketeers are driving the prices further up by hoarding salt supplies, Sri Lankan media reported.

According to the Salt Producers Association, delay in the import of 30,000 metric tonnes of non-iodized salt by the Sri Lankan government has worsened the crisis, as the country only produces 23% of its annual salt requirement.

India lends help

As per media reports, India has stepped in to help its neighbour by sending a consignment of 3,050 metric tonnes of salt. Out of the total shipment, government-owned salt companies have shipped 2,800 metric tonnes, while the remaining 250 metric tonnes have been procured from private firms, they said.

During the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Sri Lanka openly supported India, issuing a statement that Colombo would not allow any country to use its land and water to launch attacks against India.

Sri Lanka economic crisis and food insecurity

Notably, Sri Lanka was struck by a critical economic crisis two years ago, which created a massive shortage of essential commodities, and pushed the country towards food insecurity.

According to available data, more than 6 million Sri Lankans, around 28 percent of the country’s population, was faced with food insecurity due to the economic crisis, which was triggered by a multitude of factors such as dwindling foreign exchange reserves, failed government policies in the agricultural sector, and disruptions in the global supply chain.

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