Natural salt production from sea water is one of the traditionally industries in Sri Lanka coming from thousands of years ago.
Commercial production of salt at Hambantota began in 1938 under the guidance of then Government Agent of Hambantota Mr. Leonard Woolf who brought the salterns under Salt Department. Salt Department was converted to Salt Corporation in 1970 and then in 1996 Lanka Salt Limited was formed to manage the salterns at Hambantota.
Today Lanka Salt Limited (LSL) is the largest salt producer in Sri Lanka catering to 70% of the countries need, producing high quality iodized salt and table salt helping the health authority in its programme in prevention of iodine deficiency disorders and brain damages for people in the country. Methodology has changed to modern scientific techniques from the olden days where high tide was used for brine intake and then it was channeled through to salt pans by gravitational force. Scorching sun heat and the blowing wind which are abundant in Hambantota help to condense salt in the pans. During the colonial period prisoners under rigorous imprisonment were deployed for harvesting of salt.
Presently LSL is managed by a well experienced knowledgeable staff under the prudent guidance of the Chairman Mr. Nishantha Sadabaran. Use of machinery was limited to bear minimum in order to employ man power for most of the activities to create employment in the region being the largest manufacturing concern in Hambantota.
In addition to 1000 acre Mahalevaya - the main saltern of LSL, there are two mini salterns namely Palatupana and Bundala. Palatupana and Bundala salterns have been developed by providing infrastructure facilities since 2009.
Eco friendly Bundala Saltern produces "Singithi Lunu", a special salt for Japanese market which demands a very high quality. Crystal clear "Singithi Lunu" salt is a product of an eco-friendly environment which is endemic to Bundala. Singithi Lunu production cost is higher than the normal salt production cost.
Bundala saltern is an amazing gift by the nature to mother Lanka with its scenic beauty and its panoramic location.
Salt is a human requirement. Natural salt produced from sea water especially has a very high demand in the international market.