Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on December 23 and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. During this, both leaders also inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province — an are severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The 110-tonne bridge was airlifted from India and installed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Jaishankar also announced a reconstruction package of $450 million to Sri Lanka, covering rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity, construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged and support for the health and education sectors. “Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today. Conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah,” the EAM posted on X.
“Building on our First Responder activity under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India will commit to a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka covering: Rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity; Construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged; Support for health and education sectors, in particular, those that have been damaged by the cyclone; Agriculture, including to address possible shortages in the short and medium term; Better disaster response and preparedness,” he added.
Jaishankar further said that India stands firmly with Sri Lanka, building on the civilisational ties, Neighbourhood First and Vision MAHASAGAR. The External Affairs Minister arrived in Colombo on December 22 to a warm welcome by Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe. His visit to Sri Lanka underscores India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).