Workers of Lonach Farm in Watawala, Ginigathhena, had staged a protest demonstration on March 14, alleging that the farm management was selling tainted beef to butchers in the area.

The farm is operated by Watawala Dairy Pvt. Ltd. It is a subsidiary of Sunshine Holdings, which was recently embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that they had sold a drug to the Ministry of Health at a massive rip off price in 2023.

They accuse that the tainted meat was that of ailing cattle that were either dying or dead.

Although the farm had previously taken measures to properly dispose of carcasses when animals had died from diseases, under the current management, tainted meat is currently ending up at local butcher stalls, putting the community at risk, they point out.

Two truck loads of such ailing cattle had been taken to the slaughterhouse in the Bogawantalawa new town area during the wee hours of March 14 with one truck caught red handed by the workers.

The workers say that the cattle was transported by the management by altering the date of a cattle transport permit, which was previously set for March 12.

Police officers from Norton Bridge, who had arrived at the venue of the protest, had inspected the truck stopped by the workers. Upon the request of the police officers, the animals inside were taken back to the farm.

An investigation has been initiated after workers had photographed the rest of the cattle taken to the slaughterhouse and informed the police and PHI.

Background of Lonach Farm

Built by Watawala Dairy Limited (WDL), Lonach is a state-of-the-art dairy farm which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Watawala Plantations.

A Board of Investment (BOI) registered project, it is situated on a 50-hectare site in Watawala, Ginigathhena.

The project commenced in March 2016 as a pilot project called ‘Lonach Farm’ with 120 cattle, three cow houses and a milking parlour.

Watawala Dairy Limited imported 246 heifers directly from Australia and New Zealand in 2018, and 928 cows were purchased from the Government of Sri Lanka in 2017 at a concessionary price under an agreement to develop the local dairy industry. However, much of the heifers imported in this manner at a concessionary price had contracted illnesses such as hoof diseases, sparking much controversy back then.

However, much of the heifers imported in this manner at a concessionary price had contracted illnesses such as hoof diseases, sparking much controversy back then.

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