India, July 8 -- In a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation in the livestock and poultry sectors, theCLFMA of India, in association with theSri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA)and theWorld Poultry Science Association - Sri Lanka Branch (WPSA-SL), hosted theIndia-Sri Lanka Livestock Meeton1st 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 wereDr Palika Fernando, Additional Secretary (Livestock Development), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, andDr 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 ChairmanDivya Kumar Gulatiand included Deputy ChairmanNaveen Pasuparthy, Honorary Secretary Nissar F. Mohammed, TreasurerR. Ramkutty, President - East Zone Mr. Sameer Chotai, International Liaison Committee Member Jaison John, and Executive DirectorColonel Vinay Kumar.
The engagement began on1st July 2025with 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 whereMr Divya Kumar Gulatiformally 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 at Hotel Taj Deccan, Hyderabad - an invitation that was warmly received.
Building on the momentum from Day 1, theformal sessions on 2nd Julycommenced with a welcome address by Gulati, who outlined CLFMA's mission, recent initiatives, and its long-term vision for regional cooperation. A detailed presentation byColonel Vinay Kumarfurther 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 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 Fernandoaffirmed 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 Jayawardanareaffirmed 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.
Following these productive discussions, the event concluded with a felicitation of dignitaries and a vote of thanks byNissar F. Mohammed, followed by a formal dinner. The atmosphere was marked by mutual respect, shared purpose, and a clear willingness to build a long-term partnership.
By fostering open dialogue and shared goals, the India-Sri Lanka Livestock Meet reaffirmed the power of partnerships in building a robust, sustainable, and inclusive livestock ecosystem for the region.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.