India will give a $450 million aid package to help rebuild areas in Sri Lanka
damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said in Colombo today.
He explained that the support includes a $350 million low-interest loan and
$100 million in grants. This money will be used to rebuild cyclone-hit regions
across the country.
India’s help will focus on the worst-affected sectors, such as repairing roads,
railways, and bridges, and supporting the construction of houses that were fully
or partly damaged.
Dr. Jaishankar met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, discussed the
damage caused by the cyclone, and handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said India acted quickly in line with its Neighbourhood First and Mahasagar
policies, especially as Sri Lanka is facing both cyclone damage and economic challenges.
The Minister added that under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has already sent
about 1,100 tonnes of relief materials and more than 14.5 tonnes of medicines
and medical equipment to Sri Lanka. He assured continued support and said India
would also help by promoting tourism and foreign investment in Sri Lanka.