News
SJB reveals ‘despicable practices’ of some milk powder importers
By Saman Indrajith
Matara District SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana told Parliament on Wednesday that some companies imported milk powder and dissolved them in water and released them to the market as liquid milk.
“The consumers think that they drink fresh milk while drinking milk powder dissolved in water. The yoghurt producers, too, buy them thinking that they purchase fresh milk to produce yoghurt. Parents give yoghurts to children without knowing that harmful substances that come with milk powder are there in yoghurt. This despicable practice should be stopped forthwith,” MP Pathirana said.
He said that the practice of dissolving milk powder in water was also detrimental to the interests of local dairy farmers. “I have informed this House numerous times of the harmful elements in imported milk powder. I have submitted a comprehensive report prepared by experts who tested samples of imported milk powder to find substances injurious to people’s health.”
Livestock, Farm Production and Dairy and Egg Related Industries State Minister D. B. Hearth said the government had decided to promote the consumption of fresh milk by assisting the dairy farmers and promoting the import of quality milch cows. Doctors too have informed us that milk powder is not healthy.
MP Pathirana said that local agent companies of multi-national corporations purchased the fresh milk from the local farmers but that milk would not reach the market. “Instead, these companies discard genuine liquid milk and do not let the local dairy farmers’ product reach the market because they would not be able to keep the consumers hooked to their products’ taste. The objectives of importing milch cows to promote milk industry would not be achieved. What would the government do to remedy this?”
State Minister Herath said that MP Pathirana’s statement was true as the ministry had received reports that some companies purchased fresh milk from local farmers and discarded it. “We have commenced a project with the Ministry of Trade to promote purchasing milk from farmers themselves,” he said.
MP Pathirana said that he did not get a response to his question and asked whether the government would get flying squads to visit super markets and check the standards of liquid milk being sold as fresh milk.
Minister Herath said that the matter would be referred to the Health Ministry which had the power to implement the provisions of the Food Act.
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
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