The Maldives requested Sri Lanka for assistance in several agricultural areas towards achieving food security in the island nation when visiting Maldivian Minister of Defense and National Security Col. (ret) Mohamed Nazim called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday afternoon.
Col. 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.
President Rajapaksa indicated that Sri Lanka may be able to assist Maldives 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.
Col. Nazim also indicated 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.
