Local milk production increases

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

There has been a 15 per cent increase of milk production after the ban of slaughter of cows from last year.

Chairman Maubima Foundation, Ariyaseela Wickrmanayake said Sri Lanka has spent Rs. 30 billion for the import of milk when the country can be self-sufficient.

Speaking at the Maubima Lanka Foundation awards ceremony at the BMICH last morning he said milk production is a major contributor to the New Zealand’s GDP and 85 per cent of their produce is for export. “With the present initiative taken I am sure Sri Lanka will be self sufficient in milk in five years,” he said.

“Each citizen is in debt for over Rs. 200,000 due to loans taken by successive governments. In addition despite Sri Lanka being an island it imports over 60,000 tonnes of fish, when the country can be self sufficient. Purchasing large vessels can do this.

“Similarly Sri Lanka can be self sufficient in sugar and many other imported commodities.”

He also said the telco industry had revenue in the excess of Rs. 8 billion and appealed for the companies to reduce tariff. He appealed from the users to use a handset for a longer period to cut foreign exchange flowing to foreign manufacturers. He appealed from the public to buy Sri Lankan products thus saving foreign exchange, encouraging entrepreneurs and strengthening Sri Lankan economy.

The event saw 46 Sri Lankan home grown corporates being awarded brand names while 300 were presented with Suriya Sinha Award.

It was also mentioned that President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented the last budget travelling in a locally assembled Micro car powered by locally made Ethanol.

Wickramnayake said Sri Lanka should promote the use of ethanol as Brazil has banned the use of petrol in vehicles from 2007. “In India 20 per cent vehicles run on ethanol,” he said.

Members of several the political parties also attended the event.