News
President calls for productivity improvement at Milco and higher price for milk producers
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage and State Minister of Livestock, Farm Promotion and Dairy & Egg Related Industries D.B. Herath to immediately increase the price paid to dairy farmers for milk supplied by improving productivity at Milco.
The President made these remarks while inspecting the Milco Factory at Narahenpita yesterday morning (25). The President paid special attention to the disparity in prices at the district level when purchasing liquid milk. The President said that the process should be fully monitored to prevent irregularities by intermediaries when they transport milk purchased from the dairy farmer to Milco.
“The President took these decisions with the objective of empowering the dairy farmer and
promoting the consumption of liquid milk. The President also stated that there should be no change in the prevailing prices and that the consumer should not be burdened,” the President’s Media Unit said issuing a press release.
During his visit, President Rajapaksa inspected the process of collecting liquid milk as well as the process of making dairy products. With a staff of nearly 1,500 in four factories located in Ambewela, Digana, Polonnaruwa and Narahenpita, the company has a capacity to process 700,000 litres of milk daily. However, only 120,000 liters are collected daily.
The President instructed officials to cultivate grass in the unused lands under the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) and to develop the Milco Factory at Narahenpita as the main center for the factories at Digana, Ambewela, Polonnaruwa and Badalgama.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
UN Delegation Meets Chief of Staff to the President
Afghanistan to host Zimbabwe, Bangladesh in ODI tri-series
Sandhu’s 6 for 7 seals Pakistan’s semi-final spot
INS Udaygiri makes port call in Colombo
Showers in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
22A: Exclusion of 8 petitions questioned, action filed against SC Registrar, others
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoDenied of promotion to SC despite vacancies, justice Gurusinghe retires
-
Latest News7 days agoGrade 5 scholarship exam results released
-
News6 days ago22A: SC urged to suspend hearing, appoint full bench
-
Midweek Review7 days agoThe local and global dynamics of Sri Lanka’s 22nd Amendment
-
News4 days agoNamal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
-
Latest News3 days agoTharanga creates history with Diamond League crown in Brussels
-
News6 days agoGovt. seeks NATO assistance
-
News7 days ago40 professional organisations and TU oppose proposed 22A