The discussions focussed on raising national milk production and providing necessary technical support to the production of liquid milk in Sri Lanka together with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) of India and Amul Milk Company. The objective is to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in milk and milk products in the long term with short and medium term goals to double local milk production.

The President appointed a committee consisting of representatives of the public and private sectors to work with the multidisciplinary team of the National Dairy Development Board of India to prepare a short, medium and long-term plan for the development of the dairy sector in the country. This endeavour is aimed at preventing the decline in milk production and dependence on imported milk in Sri Lanka. The discussion was held between the members of the committee and representatives of the National Dairy Board of India (NDDB).

The discussion was attended by Indian High Commissioner H.E. Gopal Baglay, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, First Secretary, Economic and Commercial Affairs, representatives of the National Dairy Development Board of India and Amul Milk Company, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, President's Secretary and a group of public and private sector representatives appointed by the President.

(PMD)