Sri Lanka requested to assist with supply of agricultural products

A Sri Lankan paper has reported that the Maldives has requested Sri Lanka to assist with the supply of agricultural products to ensure food security in the Maldives.

The Colombo Page said that this request was made by Maldivian Minister of Defence and National Security Mohamed Nazim, during a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday afternoon.

Colonel Nazim described to the President some of the hardships experienced by the Maldivian population due to inadequate supplies and high prices of some agricultural products such as rice and certain vegetables, reported Colombo Page.

The paper said that Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa indicated that Sri Lanka may be able to assist Maldives to meet their rice requirement and also urged the Maldivian government to encourage the people to engage in home gardening that could help families address their individual food needs.

According to Colombo Page, Defence Minister Nazim also suggested during the meeting that, given the good bilateral ties between the two countries, it might be useful to conduct exchange programs for Maldivian agriculturalists to learn from Sri Lankan experts.

The meeting was also attended by Principal Director International Defence Cooperation Lt. Col. Ibrahim Hilmy, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka Hussain Shihab and Defence Advisor to Sri Lanka Lt. Col. Mohamed Mukthar.

During this trip, Nazim has also signed an agreement on behalf of the Maldivian government between Maldives, Sri Lanka and India, regarding maritime security in the region.