India will provide a USD 450 million package to assist in the reconstruction of areas affected by Cyclone Ditvah in Sri Lanka, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced.
Addressing the media, Dr. Jaishankar stated that the package comprises a USD 350 million concessionary line of credit and USD 100 million in grants, aimed at supporting the rebuilding of cyclone-affected regions in Sri Lanka.
Dr. S. Jaishankar, speaking as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighted India’s continued support for Sri Lanka during the joint virtual inauguration of a Bailey bridge in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province.
The event was attended by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s relief mission following Cyclone Ditvah.
Dr. Jaishankar stated that he had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake earlier in the day and handed over a letter from Prime Minister Modi committing a USD 450 million reconstruction package to Sri Lanka.
According to Dr. Jaishankar, this package is being finalized in close consultations with the Government of Sri Lanka. Their assistance will cover sectors worst affected by the cyclone, including:
(i) rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway, and bridge connectivity;
(ii) support for construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged;
(iii) support for health and education systems, in particular those that have been damaged by the cyclone;
(iv) agriculture, including to address possible shortages in the short and medium term; and
(v) working towards better disaster response and preparedness.
The Minister emphasized India’s immediate response to Cyclone Ditvah under Operation Sagar Bandhu, which commenced on the day the cyclone made landfall.
The mission included the deployment of INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri, Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force, an 80-member National Disaster Response Force contingent, and a field hospital near Kandy with 85 medical personnel, providing emergency care to over 8,000 people. Additionally, two modular BHISHM emergency care units were airlifted to Sri Lanka.
Additionally, over 1,100 tons of relief materials were delivered, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing, water purification kits, and 14.5 tons of medicines and medical equipment. India also assisted in restoring connectivity, constructing a Bailey bridge in Kilinochchi, with another under construction in Chilaw.
Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s broader support for Sri Lanka’s recovery, including boosting tourism from India and encouraging foreign direct investment to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economy.
“We fully recognize that this is a very difficult period for Sri Lanka. Just as it was recovering from the economic crisis of 2022, this natural disaster has created new difficulties. We have seen in the past the strong resolve and strength among the people of Sri Lanka to overcome challenges and to march ahead. I can assure you that India stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before, and I am sure that Sri Lanka will once again demonstrate its great resilience in recovering from this adversity,” he concluded.
