A group with Sri Lankan government affiliations protested in front of New Zealand's Fonterra local office and demanded that the dairy giant follow a court order to withdraw the supposedly contaminated milk products from the market.

About 200 people collectively known as Lakmawa Diyaniyo or the Daughters of Lanka, gathered in protest after the court issued a subpoena to four of Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka's top officials. Fonterra's local officials were charged with contempt of court for failing to comply with the court order issued by a Sri Lankan judge to suspend sales and advertising of Fonterra milk products.

Fonterra executives said on Aug 21 that the company has "complied with all aspects" of the said order and denied the charges of contempt of court.

The group of Sri Lankan protesters displayed banners and slogans to urge Fonterra to take action. Signs with "Respect court order, Stop selling tainted milk" and "Ban all tainted milk" were seen in front of New Zealand's premier dairy company in Sri Lanka. Protesters also placed a coffin with Fonterra brands posters as an allusion to death in front of the office on the outskirts of Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital.

A few weeks ago, the Sri Lankan Health Ministry confirmed the presence of DCD or agricultural chemical dicyandiamide in two batches of Fonterra's milk products after a government agency performed tests. New Zealand-based Fonterra has already ordered a product recall.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government was still working on restoring Chinese relations after China issued an import ban on some of contaminated milk products. New Zealand has already promised to take action to restore the confidence of Chinese consumers and improve product safety measures.

In 10 days, the New Zealand government will inform Chinese authorities of the measures it will take to address food safety measures to restore trade relations. New Zealand will also require dairy companies to comply with China's standards for milk products.

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