Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar stated that India is committed to extending further assistance to Sri Lanka based on the urgent need to rebuild the country after identifying key priorities. Accordingly, India will provide a relief package worth USD 450 million to Sri Lanka. Of this amount, USD 100 million will be provided as a grant, while the remaining amount will be extended as a loan at a concessional interest rate.
The Indian Minister of External Affairs also said that the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, firmly believes that Sri Lanka will recover very quickly under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He emphasized that India is standing with Sri Lanka more strongly than ever in its reconstruction efforts.
These remarks were made during a meeting held this morning (23rd) at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka.
On this occasion, the Indian External Affairs Minister also handed over a special letter sent by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his sincere appreciation for the heartfelt support extended by the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Modi, which was among the first to respond in providing relief to Sri Lankans affected by Cyclone Ditva. He especially acknowledged India’s assistance in rescue operations, relief distribution, and efforts to restore normal life.
The President gratefully recalled India’s exceptional support in providing helicopters for rescue operations, medicines, food, and other humanitarian aid, as well as assistance for infrastructure reconstruction, including the repair of damaged roads and the restoration of the hospital system, notably Mahiyanganaya Hospital.
He further recalled India’s continuous support to Sri Lanka during every difficult moment and stated that the fraternal hand extended by India in Sri Lanka’s post-disaster reconstruction would mark a new chapter in Indo–Sri Lanka relations.
The Indian External Affairs Minister stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had instructed him to ensure that India provides all possible assistance to Sri Lanka during this challenging period. He also noted that he was visiting Sri Lanka as a special representative of the Indian Prime Minister to assess the reconstruction efforts firsthand.
Following the official meeting between President Dissanayake and the Indian External Affairs Minister, discussions were held between delegations of both countries, with special attention given to further strengthening bilateral relations. In particular, the Indian External Affairs Minister emphasized India’s continued support for the revival of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
Symbolizing the Indian relief package to Sri Lanka, the Bailey Bridge on the A-35 road in Kilinochchi was inaugurated via virtual technology by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake together with the Sri Lankan and Indian Foreign Ministers.
Those present at the official meeting included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
Subsequently, at the delegation-level discussions, India was represented by Punit Agrawal, Additional Secretary of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Satyajit Pandey, Deputy High Commissioner of India, while Sri Lanka was represented by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.
Presidential Media Division
2025-12-23
