News
Kotmale Dairy reinforces commitment to Sri Lanka with ‘Nourishing Our Nation’ Campaign’
Collects 180,000 litres of fresh milk daily from 17,000 smallholder dairy farmers
Kotmale, the country’s largest collector of fresh milk, has unveiled its new brand campaign, “Nourishing Our Nation,” reaffirming its dedication to empowering rural communities, advancing sustainable dairy farming, and delivering high-quality nutrition to households across Sri Lanka.
Central to the campaign is the iconic milk can – a timeless symbol of Sri Lanka’s dairy heritage and a tribute to the journey from farm to table. This emblem underscores Kotmale’s deep-rooted connection to the farmers and landscapes that sustain the nation, while embodying its mission to provide trusted, locally sourced dairy nutrition.
Kotmale collects approximately 180,000 litres of fresh milk daily from over 17,000 smallholder dairy farmers, making it the largest fresh milk aggregator in Sri Lanka. By eliminating intermediaries and ensuring fair farmgate prices, the company secures a stable income for rural families while maintaining consistent quality for consumers.
Since its acquisition by Cargills (Ceylon) PLC in 2010, Kotmale has been revitalised under Cargills’ community-centric business philosophy, which prioritises farmer welfare and sustainable growth. This approach, rooted in Cargills’ direct engagement with outgrower farmers since 1999, has driven Kotmale’s expansion, modernisation, and transformation into a catalyst for rural economic development.
Today, Kotmale operates three ISO-certified dairy processing facilities, leveraging cutting-edge technology to uphold the highest food safety and quality standards. A pioneer in digitalisation, Kotmale was the first in Sri Lanka’s dairy sector to automate milk collection, enhancing transparency, reducing waste, and boosting efficiency.
The company’s diverse product portfolio including fresh milk, yoghurts, cheese, butter, curd, UHT and pasteurised milk, and dairy ice cream is made from 100% local milk, reinforcing its commitment to nutrition and quality.
Through its farmer development programme, Kotmale supports Sri Lanka’s push toward milk self-sufficiency by providing farmers with technology, training, veterinary care, artificial insemination, and subsidised feed. These initiatives enhance productivity, animal health, and livelihoods, ensuring long-term sectoral growth.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Kotmale’s operations. The company employs rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse systems, solar power, and biomass boilers to minimise environmental impact, aligning with global best practices in resource efficiency.
Kotmale’s products reach consumers through an extensive distribution network, including modern trade outlets, 55,000+ general trade shops, and food service channels, while also serving export markets. This ensures that affordable, high-quality dairy nutrition is accessible to all Sri Lankans.
With local milk production meeting only 40% of national demand, Kotmale plays a vital role in strengthening food security, reducing import reliance, and conserving foreign exchange. By empowering smallholder farmers who contribute 95% of Sri Lanka’s dairy output, the company fosters rural prosperity and national resilience.
The “Nourishing Our Nation” campaign goes beyond dairy; it reflects Kotmale’s broader vision: nourishing people, uplifting communities, safeguarding the environment, and building a stronger, self-reliant Sri Lanka.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
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