Dissanayake made the request when Xianliang paid a courtesy call on the Minister at the Agriculture Ministry.

The Minister pointing out that Sri Lanka imported 375,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer annually and the imports were mainly from China, requested the ambassador to explore the possibility of reaching a government to government agreement on fertilizer purchases.

"Such a move would help provide more relief to the farming community in Sri Lanka thereby further strengthening relations between the two countries," the Minister noted.

The Chinese ambassador responded saying he would immediately act on the request and commence the consultation process after discussing with his government.