Buffaloes and camels to be imported

24 January 2011 05:30 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government is to import 5,000 buffaloes and ten camels from Pakistan within the next three years, a top official said today. 500 buffaloes would be imported to the country in March initially to be reared in the state-run farms, Livestock Ministry Secretary H.A. Gamage told Daily Mirror.

Mr. Gamage said that this would be done under the agreements for economic cooperation signed between the two countries during the visit of Pakistani President Asif Al Zardari to Sri Lanka recently.

“These buffaloes will be reared at various state farms. Later, their calves will be given to livestock farmers around the country,” he said.

At present, Sri Lanka produces only 20-25 percent of its milk requirement. The government plans to increase it to 40-50 percent during the next few years.
Asked about camel farming, he said that the Ministry had already inquired about camel prices in Pakistan.

“We can purchase a camel from Pakistan at Rs. 300,000 an animal. Anyway, we will have to spend around Rs.400, 000 for a camel altogether inclusive of import costs,” he said. (KB)

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Comments - 30

what a life Tuesday, 25 January 2011 02:43 AM

Can't these Ministers find something better to do, all we hear today is camels camels camels . Has anyone given any thought to if these camels would be harmful to Srilanka.

Bonda Tuesday, 25 January 2011 11:39 AM

Why import from Pakistan we have enough and more at Diyawannawa

Buwa Tuesday, 25 January 2011 10:58 AM

one of the best and funniest comments i've seen for ages :-D

Camel Trader Tuesday, 25 January 2011 07:17 AM

I can provide camels from Egypt at USD 500(Rs56,000/=)+shipping+taxes. Is anyone interested?

citizen1 Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:35 AM

Since we don't have the funds to grow any damn thing in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), we may as well prepare for the suba-anagtaya that is about to befall us!

mohamed Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:37 AM

when will be LAnkan bafallos to be exported?

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:17 AM

Camels? A Buffaloe deal.

Vinod Moonesinghe Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:14 AM

I think these are Bison to be imported from North America. The Americans call them Buffalo

Labby Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:05 AM

for goodness sake prevent them from straying onto the roads

Mohamed Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:05 AM

Is not what the parliament having not enough?

TMA Tuesday, 25 January 2011 04:43 AM

Y rn't there enough voters?

Hiranthas Tuesday, 25 January 2011 04:19 AM

Camel farming..? In Sri Lankan..? Are you nuts..! Ya.. Ya.. I can understand. The government is planning to make Sri Lanka a desert.. GOOD MOVE..! huh..

Camel Rider Tuesday, 25 January 2011 04:22 AM

By the way, why pay LKR 400 000 for a camel?
Check the market price in the middle eastern countries which I remember well below the price mentioned above.

Something wrong with the purchasing manager!!!!

sure Tuesday, 25 January 2011 03:50 AM

this is a good move. at least we can increse milk production as well as expand farms which is good as a agriculural country

hora Tuesday, 25 January 2011 02:43 AM

NO NEED TO IMPORT. GO TO SRI JAYAWARDENAPURA PARLIMENT. WE CAN EXPORT THEM

Mushi Monday, 24 January 2011 05:38 PM

Can't we import some white buffaloes from europe to run our country of blackish and brownish buffaloes. This is the need of the hour

suresh Tuesday, 25 January 2011 02:08 AM

Thank you for the entertainment...

Dinesh Tuesday, 25 January 2011 02:09 AM

I dont think it is needed at this point.Currently we have short fall in vegitables ,coconut etc...when available it is at a higher price.

rosh Monday, 24 January 2011 06:25 PM

Hooray !!! More ministers on the way. And thank you govt for providing enough topics for the future political campaign and providing us jokes to laugh at so we foget the cost of living.

Anderson Monday, 24 January 2011 06:23 PM

why do they want to import when there is plenty available down diyawana house? Hi! hi! hi!

shhhhhhhhhh Monday, 24 January 2011 06:16 PM

why buffaloes??????????

Danniel Monday, 24 January 2011 06:04 PM

No need to import buffaloes. There is a surfiet of them at Diyawannawa.

dr.herath Monday, 24 January 2011 05:59 PM

WOW, But as i Know there are plenty of two legged buffalows venturing near Diyawanna Oya. If you catch one of them , you are in for a fortune!!

citizen1 Monday, 24 January 2011 05:56 PM

And BTW what the hec is this obsession with camels lately? Has the hump got anything to do with?

citizen1 Monday, 24 January 2011 05:55 PM

As long as we don't keep driving into them!

Napster Monday, 24 January 2011 05:51 PM

I am sure they could find few from the parliament

Asoka Monday, 24 January 2011 05:50 PM

I can understand importing Camels but I was shocked to see Sri Lanka wants to import Buffaloes. Are they planning a even bigger parliamentary complex to house them.

Durbheeksha Monday, 24 January 2011 05:46 PM

Have 225 buffaloes and 20 million camels already. Api otuwo.

victoria Monday, 24 January 2011 05:45 PM

Why import when you can catch them on the way to parliament??

V Monday, 24 January 2011 05:39 PM

what is the point of importing camels to SL ?
give "otu kiri" to someone ?

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Buffaloes and camels to be imported

Comments - 30

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