The Milco (Pvt) Ltd. dairy facility in Badalgama, which received an investment of Rs. 18 billion, is yet to become operational, despite 95 per cent of its infrastructure being completed in 2022.

According to Milco Chairperson G.V.H. Gotabhaya, who spoke to the media yesterday, the facility has fallen into a state of neglect.

Construction of the factory, which took place between 2015 and 2022, was halted on the 12th of April 2022 due to financial constraints.

Mr. Gotabhaya stated that although most of the machinery has been installed, the plant has become "overgrown with neglect," with machinery, equipment, and power lines damaged by pests such as rats and termites.

The chairperson added that despite the Rs. 18 billion investment, not a single litre of milk has been processed at the plant. The total estimated valuation of the facility is €63.9 million, which was funded through a loan from HSBC bank.

The proposed facility is capable of processing 200,000 litres of milk per day, with the potential to increase output to 400,000 litres. The plant also has the capacity to produce 60,000 litres of pasteurised milk and 70,000 litres of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk daily.

Mr. Gotabhaya stated that Milco aims to operationalise the facility to help fund its future investments and launch three new products.