Tannuka Juneja
India on June 24 delivered a large consignment of humanitarian aid worth 3 billion SLR (over ₹65,35,00,000) to Sri Lanka as the island nation struggles with its worst-hit economy and shortage of basic commodities.
The consignment was received by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando and several MPs.
Among the consignments, 14,700 metric tonnes (MT) of rice, 250 MT milk powder and 38 MT of medicines were donated by the people of India.
The Indian High Commission said in a statement that the large consignment of humanitarian aid highlighted the lasting people-to-people relations between India and Sri Lanka, as well as the concerns of the Indian people for the welfare of their brothers in Sri Lanka.
He said that these supplies would be distributed among the beneficiaries by the Sri Lankan government in the coming days.
The humanitarian aid came a day after a delegation of senior Indian officials led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met the top Sri Lankan leadership, including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
During the meeting, India assured Sri Lanka that New Delhi was ready to contribute to the rapid economic recovery of the island nation by promoting investment, connectivity and strong economic ties.
“In addition to the three credit lines to the tune of more than $1.5 billion and forex support of around $2 billion, assistance from the government and people of India has taken the form of supply of medicines to several health-related establishments in various parts of Sri Lanka, distribution of kerosene among the fishermen of Sri Lanka, handing over of dry rations to needy sections etc.,” the release said.
Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948, leading to severe shortages of basic commodities such as food, medicine, cooking gas and fuel across the country.
