Finance
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo on Tuesday and assured India’s steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka’s rebuilding following Cyclone Ditwah.
In a statement shared on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, “Good to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka in Colombo today. Assured India’s steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka’s rebuilding post Cyclone Ditwah. The reconstruction package offered by India is a reflection of the deep bonding between our two nations.”
Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
EAM Jaishankar also announced a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka, covering rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity, construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged and support for the health and education sectors. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath was present during the meeting.
“Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today. Conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah,” the EAM posted on X.
“Building on our First Responder activity under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India will commit to a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka covering: Rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity; Construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged; Support for health and education sectors, in particular, those that have been damaged by the cyclone; Agriculture, including to address possible shortages in the short and medium term; Better disaster response and preparedness,” he added.
During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar and Vijitha Herath inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province — an area severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
“Jointly inaugurated with FM HM Vijitha Herath in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province, one of the areas severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The 110 tonnes bridge was airlifted from India and installed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
The External Affairs Minister arrived in Colombo on Monday to a cordial greeting from Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe.
His visit to Sri Lanka exemplifies India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and occurs in the backdrop of Operation Sagar Bandhu, which was started to address the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
On November 28, India started Operation Sagar Bandhu as the first responder to the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, providing urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) help to Sri Lanka.
Source: IANS
