Address by Dinesh Gunawardana Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Address by Dinesh Gunawardana

Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at the International Forum on

Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

AYUBOWAN

I wish to express deep appreciation to the People's Republic of China and His Excellency Wang Yi, Foreign Minister for the efforts taken on behalf of the people of the world who are affected by the food scarcity. Such Forums go a long way to enhance efforts towards food security through coordinated action. I am confident that the Forum will come up with useful plans that would ensure global food security and speed up achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Increasing rice yield is crucial for solving food crisis, ensuring food security, and reducing poverty. The Chinese scientists have succeeded in producing high-yielding varieties of rice and their introduction to other countries will definitely help those nations to reach self-sufficiency in rice, leading to food security.

I take this opportunity to congratulate China, on this great achievement in food production, its leadership and assistance to Asia, Africa, & Latin America and towards prosperity of All Nations.

China's partnership towards food security in Sri Lanka has a long history as Rubber-Rice Agreement between our two countries were signed way back in 1951.

I wish to recall here from the speech made by my father Philip Gunawardena, as the Minister of Agriculture & Food, at the 4th FAO Regional Meeting for Asia and the Far East, held in 1959 in Tokyo. I quote, "This Conference is being held without China, the biggest producer of rice in the world. Considering that, Ceylon earnestly propose to FAO to have China as a full member". Unquote.

Today, with the speedy development and growth witnessed in China, the relationship have further enhanced between China and Sri Lanka in economic, trade, investment, cultural and social spheres as well as people-to-people friendship bonds. China's success in eradication of poverty, rural upliftment and ensuring food security has been exemplary. Sri Lanka wishes to thank your magnanimous contributions to the efforts of my country as well as other developing nations towards achieving food security.

May our friendship grow from strength to strength!

THANK YOU