The government yesterday warned that it would introduce a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for salt within the week if attempts to inflate prices continued.Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the government’s decision to allow salt imports was solely intended to address the current domestic shortage, and not to facilitate price hikes or profiteering by importers.
Speaking at a media briefing, Minister Samarasinghe said that the cost of one kilogram of imported salt was Rs. 77, including a 40% government tax. “If the salt is priced at Rs. 80 per kilo, wholesale traders can retain a reasonable profit margin—Rs. 10, 20, or 30—but not more than that,” the Minister stated.
Minister Samarasinghe said any attempts to exploit the shortage and inflate the price of salt would not be tolerated. He warned: “If importers try to take advantage of the situation and raise prices unreasonably, we will not hesitate to impose a maximum retail price.”
