Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has underscored the critical importance of a strong and well-supported veterinary profession in driving Sri Lanka's national development forward. Speaking as the Chief Guest at the 78th Annual General Meeting and Convention of the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA), held at the prestigious Shangri-La Colombo on 30 October 2026, the Prime Minister delivered a powerful message that placed veterinary science at the heart of the country's economic, agricultural, and public health agenda.
The landmark event brought together a distinguished gathering of government representatives, veterinary professionals, academics, policymakers, and international partners, all united in recognising the immense contribution that the veterinary profession makes to the nation. The convention served as both a celebration of professional achievement and a platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of animal health and its intersection with human welfare in Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Champions the Veterinary Sector
In her address to the assembly, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya spoke passionately about the often-overlooked yet indispensable role that veterinary professionals play in sustaining the nation's food security, agricultural productivity, and public health systems. She emphasised that a robust veterinary sector is not a peripheral concern but a foundational pillar of any serious national development strategy.
"The strength of our veterinary profession directly reflects the strength of our nation," the Prime Minister noted, drawing attention to the wide-ranging responsibilities that veterinary professionals shoulder — from safeguarding livestock and managing disease outbreaks to ensuring the safety of the food supply chain and contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Amarasuriya also acknowledged the sacrifices and dedication of veterinary practitioners working across rural and urban Sri Lanka, many of whom operate under challenging conditions with limited resources. She pledged that the government would take concrete steps to improve working conditions, increase investment in veterinary infrastructure, and create stronger career pathways for young professionals entering the field.
Food Security and Agricultural Productivity
A significant portion of the Prime Minister's address focused on the direct link between veterinary health services and Sri Lanka's agricultural sector. With livestock farming playing a critical role in rural livelihoods and the broader economy, the health and productivity of animals have a direct bearing on the income of thousands of farming families across the island.
Veterinary professionals are on the frontlines of preventing and controlling animal diseases that can devastate entire farming communities overnight. The Prime Minister highlighted how timely veterinary intervention not only protects individual farmers but also shields the national economy from the broader shocks of disease-related livestock losses. She called on policymakers to view investment in veterinary services as an investment in agricultural resilience and rural prosperity.
Furthermore, Dr. Amarasuriya stressed the importance of aligning Sri Lanka's veterinary standards with international benchmarks to facilitate the export of animal products. Strengthening veterinary certification processes, disease surveillance systems, and food safety protocols, she argued, would open new doors for Sri Lankan agricultural exports in competitive global markets.
Public Health and the One Health Approach
The Prime Minister also drew attention to the growing global recognition of the "One Health" concept — an integrated approach that acknowledges the deep interconnection between human health, animal health, and environmental wellbeing. In an era of increasing zoonotic disease threats, where illnesses can jump from animals to humans with devastating consequences, the role of veterinary professionals in early detection and prevention has never been more critical.
Dr. Amarasuriya called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Department of Animal Production and Health, and veterinary academic institutions to build a more coordinated national response to emerging health threats. She expressed her government's commitment to embedding the One Health framework into national health and agricultural policy planning.
Recognising Veterinary Excellence
The 78th SLVA Annual General Meeting and Convention also served as an occasion to honour outstanding contributions made by veterinary professionals across various specialisations. Awards were presented to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to animal welfare, research, education, and public service within the veterinary field.
The Sri Lanka Veterinary Association, which has been a cornerstone of the country's animal health sector for decades, used the occasion to outline its strategic priorities for the coming years, including expanding continuing professional development programmes, strengthening veterinary legislation, and fostering greater international collaboration.
A Vision for the Future
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya's participation in and address at the SLVA Convention sent a clear signal that the current government recognises and values the veterinary profession as a key contributor to national progress. Her remarks reinforced a broader vision of inclusive development — one where professionals in every sector, including those working quietly in the field with animals, are seen as essential architects of a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous Sri Lanka.
As the country continues to navigate economic recovery and sustainable development challenges, the message from the Prime Minister was unambiguous: investing in veterinary professionals is investing in the future of the nation itself.