CLFMA of India and Sri Lanka livestock meet marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation

New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation in the livestock and poultry sectors, the CLFMA of India, in association with the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA) and the World Poultry Science Association – Sri Lanka Branch (WPSA-SL), hosted the India–Sri Lanka Livestock Meet on 1st and 2nd July 2025.

The two-day event marked the formal beginning of an institutional dialogue between the two nations and set the stage for collaborative action in areas such as animal health, feed innovation, policy alignment, and knowledge exchange.

Reflecting the strategic importance of the engagement, the event was attended by several high-level dignitaries and institutional heads from Sri Lanka. Among the prominent attendees were Dr Palika Fernando, Additional Secretary (Livestock Development), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, and Dr Sulakshana Jayawardana, Director General – Treasury, Ministry of Financial Planning and Economic Development. The Sri Lankan delegation also included key figures from SLVA and WPSA-SL.

Representing India, the CLFMA delegation was led by Chairman Mr Divya Kumar Gulati and included Deputy Chairman Mr. Naveen Pasuparthy, Honorary Secretary Mr Nissar F. Mohammed, Treasurer Mr. R. Ramkutty, President – East Zone Mr. Sameer Chotai, International Liaison Committee Member Mr. Jaison John, and Executive Director Colonel Vinay Kumar.

The engagement began on 1st July 2025 with an informal coordination meeting between the office bearers of SLVA, WPSA-SL, and CLFMA’s Sri Lanka coordination team. The relaxed setting allowed for open, solution-driven dialogue and laid the groundwork for future alignment. This was followed by a networking dinner where Mr Divya Kumar Gulati formally invited the Sri Lankan delegation to participate in CLFMA’s upcoming 66th National Symposium and 58th Annual General Meeting in Hyderabad, scheduled for 22–23 August 2025 in Hyderabad — an invitation that was warmly received.

Building on the momentum from Day 1, the formal sessions on 2nd July commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Gulati, who outlined CLFMA’s mission, recent initiatives, and its long-term vision for regional cooperation. A detailed presentation by Colonel Vinay Kumar further showcased CLFMA’s impact across India’s livestock value chain. The dialogue that followed focused on aligning efforts in areas like livestock breeding, veterinary research, nutritional advancements, and capacity-building. It was evident that both sides saw the value of transforming this bilateral dialogue into a structured and ongoing partnership.

“This meet is not just a bilateral engagement—it’s a platform for creating long-term value for the livestock and poultry sectors of both countries,” said Mr Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India. “We see immense potential for joint R&D, policy advocacy, and trade cooperation, and we are committed to deepening this collaboration.”

Adding to this momentum, Dr. Palika Fernando affirmed the government’s interest in strengthening technical and research collaboration with Indian counterparts. “There is tremendous scope for India–Sri Lanka cooperation in livestock breeding, feed innovation, and veterinary sciences. We appreciate CLFMA’s proactive approach and look forward to institutionalising this partnership.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr Sulakshana Jayawardana reaffirmed the Sri Lankan government’s commitment to structured, cross-border cooperation. Dr. Ushan Pallegama, President, SLVA, and Dr. Mallawa Arachchi, President, WPSA-SL, also expressed enthusiasm for establishing long-term collaboration with CLFMA through formal institutional frameworks and joint initiatives.