Colombo, December 23

India on Tuesday announced a USD 450 million reconstruction package for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the island nation’s top leadership and reaffirmed New Delhi’s firm commitment to Colombo’s post-cyclone recovery.

Arriving as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Special Envoy, Jaishankar said it was only natural for India to step forward at a time of crisis for Sri Lanka. He called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s warm wishes along with a message of solidarity following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

“The letter from Prime Minister Modi that I handed over reinforces India’s role as a first responder and commits a USD 450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka,” Jaishankar said while addressing the media alongside Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

He said he held detailed discussions with the President on the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with talks focusing on how quickly India’s assistance could be delivered.

Jaishankar added that the proposed support package totals USD 450 million, comprising USD 350 million in concessional lines of credit and USD 100 million in grants.

He said that the assistance will cover sectors worst affected by the cyclone, including rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity; support for the construction of damaged houses, support for health and education systems, agriculture, and working towards better disaster response and preparedness.

“We are conscious that work towards mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on the people of Sri Lanka must be done in the quickest time possible. We are discussing an effective coordination mechanism for the earliest possible delivery,” he said.

Jaishankar and his counterpart Herath jointly inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province, one of the areas severely affected by the cyclone, in the presence of President Dissanayake. The 110-tonne bridge was air-lifted from India and installed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.

Given the scale of damage, restoring connectivity was clearly an immediate priority, and this was in fact discussed between President Dissanayake and PM Modi in their telephone call, Jaishankar said. AGENCIES INPUT