S Jaishankar with Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Image/X)
NEW DELHI: EAM S Jaishankar on Tuesday announced that India has proposed a comprehensive assistance package of $450 million to support Sri Lanka’s reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah, one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the island nation in decades.Speaking in Colombo as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar stated that India remains firmly committed to supporting Sri Lanka during this challenging period. “The letter from Prime Minister Modi that I handed over builds on our first responder role and commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka,” he said.
The announcement comes after the completion of the immediate humanitarian phase under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s rapid response mission launched after the cyclone, which has claimed more than 600 lives and affected millions across Sri Lanka. Jaishankar outlined the scale of India’s initial relief efforts, highlighting that Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered around 1,100 tonnes of relief material. “About 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment were also provided,” he added.He said PM Modi has directed Indian officials to work closely with the Sri Lankan government to identify and address rebuilding priorities. “Recognising the urgency of rebuilding, PM Modi directed that we now engage with the Sri Lankan government to address their priorities in that regard,” Jaishankar said. Detailing the proposed package, Jaishankar said it would include USD 350 million in concessional lines of credit and USD 100 million in grants. The assistance package, he said, is being finalised in close consultation with the Sri Lankan government to ensure the funds are channelled toward the most critical infrastructure and recovery needs.The move underscores India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, positioning New Delhi as a first responder and long-term partner in Sri Lanka’s recovery and stability.Beyond immediate relief and reconstruction, Jaishankar said India would continue to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.“We will continue to encourage tourism traffic from India,” he said, describing tourism as a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s economy. He also highlighted the role of Indian investments, which could help boost Sri Lanka’s economy at a critical time.Acknowledging the scale of the crisis, Jaishankar said Sri Lanka was facing fresh challenges just as it was emerging from earlier difficulties. “Just as it was recovering from the economic crisis of 2022, this natural disaster has created new difficulties,” he said.Jaishankar arrived in Colombo on Monday evening and was received by deputy minister of tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe.Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on November 28 before looping back over the Bay of Bengal, triggering widespread flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka. The worst-hit areas include Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa, while landslides in the central hill country devastated districts such as Kandy, Badulla and Matale. Nearly 75,000 homes were damaged, including around 5,000 completely destroyed. The Sri Lankan government has announced a major compensation and rehabilitation plan, including financial assistance for families of victims, support for rebuilding homes in safer zones, and aid for education and basic household needs. Go to Source
