December 7, 2022
3 mins read

Lankan envoy meets Sitharaman, thanks India’s assistance

It was the latest of a series of meetings High Commissioner Moragoda has had with Sitharaman since November last year on Indian economic cooperation and assistance to Sri Lanka…reports Asian Lite News

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda on Tuesday met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and thanked her for the brief emergency assistance India has provided to the island nation throughout its difficult period.

The Sri Lankan envoy also briefed the finance minister on Sri Lanka’s ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the present status of the country’s debt restructuring process, according to the official statement of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi. Taking to Twitter, Sri Lanka’s High Commission in New Delhi tweeted, “High Commissioner @MilindaMoragoda met with the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of India @nsitharaman today (06) to review the status of bilateral economic cooperation.#lka”

Notably, it was the latest of a series of meetings High Commissioner Moragoda has had with Sitharaman since November last year on Indian economic cooperation and assistance to Sri Lanka in the context of the present crisis, the official statement read.

Additionally, Moragoda informed her of the severe effects that Sri Lanka’s current economic contraction is having on the country’s poor and most vulnerable populations.

The High Commissioner emphasized that India could play a significant role in Sri Lanka’s economic revival through multifaceted economic integration between the two countries by enhancing investments, tourism, and trade. Minister Sitharaman and High Commissioner Moragoda also reviewed the status of bilateral economic cooperation.

Dairy devleopment

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee to work with Indias National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to develop the island nation’s dairy industry.

The committee consisting of representatives of the public and private sectors will work with the multidisciplinary team of the NDDB to prepare a short, medium and long-term plan to increase local milk production to reduce the country’s dependence on imported milk powder.

“The NDDB and India’s Amul Milk Company have taken steps to provide the necessary technical support for the production of liquid milk in Sri Lanka,” the President Media Division (PMD) said.

“It was discussed at length about doubling local milk production by implementing short and medium-term plans and making Sri Lanka self-sufficient in milk in the long run through a targeted program,” the PMD noted.

NDDB’s Senior General Manager Rajesh Onkarnath Gupta, General Manager Sunil ShivprasadSinha, Senior Manager Rajesh Kumar Sharma and other representatives participated in the discussion with officials from Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Ministry and the National Livestock Development Board.

Consuming mostly powdered milk, Sri Lanka imports milk powder from New Zealand and the island nation’s monthly consumption of milk powder is around 6,500 metric tonnes.

According to reports, Sri Lanka spends around $400 million a year for the importation of milk powder.

Various governments have tried to stop importing milk powder and promote liquid milk as drain of dollars has become a major burden on the ailing economy.

Among other essentials milk and powdered milk specially for children went on shortage early this year mainly due to inflation and dollar crunch.

Shortages of other food items, fuel, cooking gas and medicine lead people to take to streets and topple the Rajapaksa government earlier this year. (with inputs from ANI and IANS’ Susitha Fernando)

ALSO READ: Lanka to introduce mobile app for tourist safety

Previous Story

SRK looks cool in spy action film ‘Pathaan’

Next Story

‘Sustainability to me is beautiful’

Latest from -Top News

Pak, Iran Crack Down on Afghan Refugees

Most of those affected are in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where authorities have intensified pressure on Afghan nationals to leave….reports Asian Lite News As forced deportation and illegal detention of Afghan refugees continues,

Balochistan Bleeds Under Pakistan’s Iron Fist

The Baloch people have long faced marginalization and exploitation. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishment have further alienated the Baloch population…reports Deepak Kumar The scale and the audacity of the attack

Luxon’s India Visit Kicks Off Today

Prime Minister Luxon will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior officials, ministers, business leaders…reports Asian Lite News New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is scheduled to arrive in India on

Pakistan Blames Kabul for Jaffar Express Attack

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has stated that the intercepted calls confirmed links between the attackers and Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of orchestrating the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Lanka moving away from China

Fears have also been rife in Colombo regarding Chinese loans,

Chinese spy ship reaches Lanka

Chinese vessel ‘Yuan Wang-5’ is widely believed to be a