Furthering laboratory cooperation between Sri Lanka and New Zealand

We were delighted to host a delegation from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) earlier this month for a visit at our Auckland Laboratory, along with representatives from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

The visit was part of a collaboration between MPI and SLSI seeking to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance market access between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. AsureQuality’s status as a government-owned food assurance entity is highly regarded in many markets, in particular China and South East Asia, and we have been recognised as a potential service provider for this initiative, which aims to foster greater laboratory cooperation between the two nations.

New Zealand enjoys a warm and steadily growing relationship with Sri Lanka, marked by expanding trade and diplomatic ties, including the establishment of a New Zealand High Commission in Colombo in 2021 . Sri Lanka is among New Zealand’s top 10 dairy export markets, and this collaboration has been identified as a strategic opportunity to sustain and further grow New Zealand's presence in the region.

The delegation spent three days at AsureQuality’s Auckland laboratory, followed by a brief tour that included visits to Milk Test, Fonterra, and Open Country Dairy. These site visits offered valuable insights into New Zealand's dairy industry operations and its stringent quality standards. On the final day, the delegation participated in interactive sessions with representatives from key organizations, including AsureQuality, Fonterra, and International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ). Discussions highlighted New Zealand's expertise in food safety, advanced quality systems, and laboratory accreditation processes, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maintaining its reputation as a global leader in food safety and quality assurance.

The visit concluded on a positive note, with a sense of accomplishment and goodwill on both sides. The AsureQuality team is looking forward to taking a leading role in the implementation of the laboratory cooperation initiative.

The delegation consisted of five people from Sri Lanka and two from New Zealand MPI.

1. Susan Morris, Principal Adviser Residues Assurance, New Zealand Food Safety, MPI
2. Tasha Williams, Senior Market Access Counsellor, Bilateral Relations & Trade, MPI
3. Nishanthi Ratnayaka - Senior Deputy Director, SLSI
4. Mithum De Silva, Assistant Director (Technical), SLSI
5. Ishara Gunnepana, Assistant Director (Technical), SLSI
6. Dilani Rodrigo, Deputy Director, SLSI
7. Kamani Perera, Deputy Government Analyst,Government Analyst's Department, Sri Lanka