We believe that a new transformative era can be built in which everyone participates in the economic process and benefits from it.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is confident in building an economy that delivers benefits to everyone, paving the way for a transformative era. The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the MILCO National Dairy Farmers’ Profit Sharing, Introducing farm/farm family insurance & Appreciation Programme - 2026 held on the 02nd of February at Temple Trees.
The MILCO National Dairy Farmers’ Profit Sharing, Introducing farm/farm family insurance & Appreciation Programme, organized under the theme, “A Nutritious and Thriving Nation Enriched by Milk,” was held to recognize the MILCO dairy farming community that contributed to the company recording its highest sales turnover in 2025 and achieving a historic net profit.
Under this programme, it has been decided to distribute performance incentives to 22,000 dairy farmers affiliated with MILCO. During the ceremony, dividend payments were symbolically awarded to 2,000 dairy farmers. Additionally, incentive payments were provided to dairy farmers across all provinces of the island, and field officers were also recognized. Membership certificates for pension entitlements under the Dairy Farmer Retirement Scheme, jointly implemented by the Social Security Fund and MILCO, were also awarded at this event.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated that the current Government is committed to implementing an economic system based on economic democracy, where all producers across the country are integrated into the production process and benefits are equitably shared. She emphasized that this inclusive approach is a core pillar of the Government’s economic strategy.
The Prime Minister further noted that by minimizing fraud and corruption within state institutions, ensuring proper management, and providing goal-oriented leadership, public institutions can be transformed into strong, efficient entities that deliver tangible benefits to the people. She stated that MILCO has proven this within a short period of time.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
These dividends are being distributed after 21 years. The last time this was done was during the brief period when His Excellency the President served as Minister of Agriculture. It has taken 21 years to reach this point. This clearly shows the extent of damage caused to this country by previous administrations. If we were able to achieve this within fifteen or sixteen months, it strongly proves the fraud committed by those who managed these institutions for decades. The time has now come to correct those wrongs and to build institutions properly, that involve everyone in the economic process and ensure benefits for all.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha also expressed appreciation to the Chairman, Board of Directors, staff of MILCO, and the dairy farmers for transforming MILCO into a high-income-generating enterprise within a short time of period and emphasized the importance of assigning national value to such achievements.
The Minister stated that the development of MILCO and its significant revenue generation were made possible through the people-oriented policies and actions of the new Government, and further stated that state institutions can be developed into major revenue earners. The Minister assured continued Government support to address the challenges faced by dairy farmers and urged them to remain committed to maintaining high standards and proper procedures in the dairy industry.
The event was attended by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunarathne, Member of Parliament to Anuradhapura District Mr. Susantha Kumara Navarathna, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Chairman of MILCO Hemajeewa Gotabhaya, along with ministry and institutional officials and dairy farmers from across the island.
Prime Minister’s Media Division