While over 400 containers of imported salt remain stuck at Colombo Port, six were mysteriously released despite official cutoff dates, raising allegations of insider manipulation and market rigging. Importers now face mounting demurrage charges, looming confiscations, and a growing monopoly threat in the middle of Sri Lanka’s salt harvest.
Amidst a growing backlog of over 400 containers of imported salt held at Colombo Port Customs, six containers have mysteriously been released under unclear circumstances, according to internal Customs sources.
Sources claim that while official guidelines stated only salt shipments that arrived by June 10, 2025, would be released, six containers that arrived on June 12 were somehow cleared and removed. This has raised eyebrows among importers, many of whom are questioning why other containers shipped on June 11 and 12 remain detained.
Business stakeholders are now calling for a formal investigation into how these six specific containers were cleared ahead of others. They suspect an “unseen hand” may be at play, especially given the financial burden placed on other importers whose goods remain stuck and are accumulating daily demurrage fees.
Customs insiders warn that if the containers continue to be delayed, importers may choose not to release them at all due to excessive late fees. In such cases, the containers may be confiscated by authorities. There is now speculation that those behind the cleared containers could purchase the confiscated goods at lower rates and resell them on the local market.
Sources further allege that the entities responsible for releasing the six containers may be trying to establish a monopoly over salt distribution. With the salt harvest currently underway in Hambantota, they warn that market manipulation could intensify if more imported salt remains locked at port or is seized.
Calls are growing for transparency and regulatory action, as importers continue to suffer losses while market dynamics shift in favor of a few privileged players.
