President Lula da Silva of Brazil has asked Sri Lanka to send a delegation to study new technologies and advances in the spheres of mining, irrigation and agriculture which could assist Sri Lanka in economic development and lead to closer ties between the countries.

The request came in discussions between the Brazilian President and President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Rome yesterday. Both leaders are in Rome to attend the World Food Summit organized by FAO that is focusing on Food Security in the context of the current rising cost of food and fuel, which they addressed yesterday.

In discussions on food production and livestock President Lula da Silva showed interest in aspects of food production and livestock farming in Sri Lanka, as well as the approach of Sri Lanka on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). President Rajapaksa sought greater cooperation between the two countries in order to develop the cultivation and farming sector with better seeds, state of the art technology and other new methods to enhance the productivity in the agricultural and farming sectors.

Both the Heads of State discussed the vitality of food security and the manner in which this should be addressed with efficacy. They also discussed the existing trade agreements as well as the potential for future agreements for mutual benefit. President Rajapaksa explained the benefits of regional trade agreements and the advantages of Free Trade Agreements, such as what Sri Lanka has with India and Pakistan, which drew the interest of the Brazilian President.