New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the signing of an agreement which will see New Zealand and Sri Lankan universities work more closely together to boost the skills of local vets and help improve farming practices and incomes.

The five-year 202 million rupees partnership funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme aims to increase the number of trained veterinarians in Sri Lanka in an effort to boost milk yields and in turn, supplement farmer incomes.

The agreement for a veterinary education twinning programme between New Zealand’s Massey University and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at the University of Peradeniya was signed in Kandy today.

“I’d like to congratulate both universities on their world-class training programme. This is another example of New Zealand contributing to the development of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry,” Key said.

“This project will have significant benefits for Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector and for the economic prosperity of its people and is part of New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to the country.”

PM Key witnessed the signing while on his three-day state visit to Sri Lanka.

The event was also attended by other members of the Prime Minister’s delegation, the Governor of Central Province Suranganie Ellawala and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake.