EAM Jaishankar in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, India commits 450 million dollar reconstruction package
NEW DELHI: India has pledged a $450 million reconstruction and recovery package to Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced on Tuesday during his visit to Colombo as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The letter from Prime Minister Modi builds on our First Responder role and commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka.” Jaishankar pointed out that the Indian Army also set up a field hospital near Kandy with 85 medical personnel, providing emergency care to over 8,000 people. “Two modular BHISHM emergency care units were airlifted and utilised,” he said.Jaishankar said restoring connectivity was identified as an immediate priority. Army engineers erected a Bailey bridge at Killinochchi using equipment transported by C-17 aircraft, while another bridge at Chilaw is currently under construction. Overall, India delivered more than 1,100 tonnes of relief supplies, including food, tents, hygiene kits, and water purification equipment, along with 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical gear.
Outlining the reconstruction package, Jaishankar said it would comprise $350 million in concessional lines of credit and $100 million in grants. The assistance will focus on rebuildingWe are conscious that work towards mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah must be done in the quickest time possible,” he said, adding that India and Sri Lanka were finalising coordination mechanisms for rapid delivery.
Jaishankar also pointed to longer-term support, including boosting Indian tourism and foreign direct investment. “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before,” he said, expressing confidence in the island nation’s resilience as it recovers from the disaster.
Jaishankar said discussions focused on how quickly the assistance could be delivered, underlining India’s role as Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour. “In line with our Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies, it was only natural that India step forward at a time when Sri Lanka faced a crisis,” he said, recalling New Delhi’s support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic difficulties.
Speaking after talks with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Jaishankar said he carried a personal message from Prime Minister Modi to President Anura Kumar Dissanayake, whom he met earlier in the day. “The President was kind enough to receive me this morning, and we had a detailed discussion on the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah,” he