<P>NZ offers support to make SL self sufficient in milk production  
[August 30 2013]

<P>New Zealand Government offers support to uplift the dairy industry in Sri Lanka enabling the country to become self sufficient in milk production by 2016, the Economic Development Ministry announced. Discussions took place between the New Zealand (NZ) Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in this regard.  

<P>New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and President Mahinda Rajapaksa are expected to sign the proposed Memorandum of Understanding to this effect when NZ Premier Key visits Sri Lanka to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November.  

<P>Under the program the NZ Government will assist in promoting local milk production, motivating dairy farmers, breeding best breeds of dairy cows, establishing dairy farms and providing required technical help. Earlier in 1965 the NZ Government had helped Sri Lanka under the Colombo Plan to promote liquid milk and motivate local dairy farmers by assisting production in several dairy farms of the country. 

<P>Foreign Minister McCully have further assured Minister Rajapaksa that his Government will also cooperate with the Sri Lankan Health Authorities to provide consumers here with high quality imported milk powder, according to the Economic Development Ministry. 

<P>New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry Deputy Secretary Andrea Joan Smith, NZ High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Averil Jan Henderson, Deputy HC Wendy Mathews were among the others who attended the discussions.