New Delhi/Colombo: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and has proposed a comprehensive assistance package worth USD 450 million to help the island nation recover from the devastation caused by the natural disaster.
Jaishankar, who is in Sri Lanka as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, made the announcement during a joint interaction with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He noted that the cyclone struck at a time when Sri Lanka was still rebuilding its economy following the severe financial crisis of 2022, compounding the challenges faced by the country.
The External Affairs Minister said Prime Minister Modi had directed Indian authorities to engage closely with the Sri Lankan government to understand its immediate and long-term priorities. Based on these discussions, India has proposed an assistance package totalling USD 450 million, aimed at supporting relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
He explained that the proposed support includes USD 350 million through concessional lines of credit and USD 100 million in grant assistance. The package is currently being finalised in close coordination with the Sri Lankan government to ensure it addresses the most urgent needs arising from the cyclone.
According to Jaishankar, India’s assistance will focus on sectors that have suffered the greatest damage. These include the repair and restoration of critical infrastructure such as roads, railways and bridges, support for rebuilding houses that were fully or partially destroyed, and assistance to restore damaged health and education facilities. The aid package will also extend support to the agriculture sector to tackle potential short- and medium-term shortages, while strengthening Sri Lanka’s disaster response and preparedness mechanisms to mitigate the impact of future natural calamities.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to being a reliable partner for Sri Lanka during times of crisis, emphasising that the proposed support reflects the close ties and longstanding friendship between the two neighbouring countries.
