Besides the humanitarian and monetary assistance, India also extended USD 15 million to the Sri Lankan Government for promoting Buddhist religious activities, states Sathipattana….reports Asian Lite News
India’s benevolent humanitarian and monetary assistance to economically-ridden Sri Lanka has brought in praise from world nations who have appreciated the country for its gesture of goodwill.
The assistance would be etched in golden letters in the history of India-Lanka relations.
India has sent assistance worth several billion US dollars to rescue the money-strapped Sri Lankan government accompanied by shiploads of humanitarian aid, cooking gas, large quantities of fuel, and medicinal supplies, as stated by Sathipattana, a scholastic Buddhist magazine.
India’s assistance to Sri Lanka includes the massive USD 03 Billion credit line assistance, the 40,000 metric tons of diesel, shipments of rice, milk powder, and medicinal drugs all worth Rs 2 Billion. Further, 40,000 metric tons of petrol and 400,000 metric tons of cooking gas also arrived from India.
Besides the humanitarian and monetary assistance, India also extended USD 15 million to the Sri Lankan Government for promoting Buddhist religious activities, states Sathipattana. India’s generosity has made every Sri Lankan citizen, and every political party shower praises for its benevolence.
However, to reciprocate India’s efforts, Sri Lanka must select the due strategic geopolitical path for the benefit of the island country and its people.
Meanwhile, former Sri Lankan cabinet Minister Namal Rajapaksa extended gratitude to India for the latest round of humanitarian aid and essential items sent to Sri Lanka worth Rs 2 Billion.
Namal Rajapaksa, who is the son of the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, said that India has been a big brother to the country throughout the years, something that they will never forget.
“Grateful to PM Narendra Modi, Hon CM MK Stalin & the people of India for the aid & essential items sent to LKA. India certainly has been a big brother & a good friend to LKA throughout the years, something that we will never forget! Thank you,” Namal Rajapaksa said in a tweet.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to the “people of India” for the assistance amidst the prevalent economic crisis in the island country.
“Sri Lanka today received Rs 2 Billion worth of humanitarian aid, including milk powder, rice, and medicines from India. Our sincere gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Hon. @mkstalin and the People of India for the support extended,” Sri Lankan PM tweeted.
This assistance to neighbouring Sri Lanka comes as the island nation is struggling to cope with its dire economic scarcity, with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices, and power cuts affecting a large number of people.
Earlier, the Indian government had sent out dry rations, medicines, and other essential commodities to Sri Lanka on a grant basis.
At this time of crisis, India has pledged nearly USD 3 billion to cash-strapped Colombo through currency swaps, credit lines for essential goods, and repayment of loans since January 2022 to help Sri Lanka amid one of the worst economic crises in history. (ANI)
