Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 23: India on Tuesday pledged a $450 million reconstruction and recovery package to Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced during his visit to Colombo as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaishankar, after meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, said he carried a personal message from Prime Minister Modi to President Anura Kumar Dissanayake. “The President kindly received me this morning, and we had a detailed discussion on the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah,” he said. “The letter from Prime Minister Modi builds on India’s First Responder role and commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka.”

India’s support, Jaishankar said, is in line with the country’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies. He recalled New Delhi’s assistance during Sri Lanka’s recent economic challenges and emphasized India’s commitment as the island nation’s closest neighbour.

Relief and Rescue Operations:

• Relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu began the very day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall.

• Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri delivered emergency supplies in Colombo, followed by helicopter operations.

• Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters carried out relief work for over two weeks.

• An 80-member NDRF team and Indian Army personnel provided on-ground rescue and relief.

• A field hospital near Kandy treated over 8,000 people, staffed by 85 medical personnel. Two modular BHISHM emergency care units were airlifted and utilised.

Restoring Connectivity and Relief Supplies:

• Army engineers erected a Bailey bridge at Killinochchi and constructed another at Chilaw.

• India delivered more than 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including food, tents, hygiene kits, water purification units, and 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical gear.

Reconstruction Package:

• $350 million will be provided as concessional lines of credit, and $100 million as grants.

• Focus areas include rebuilding roads, railways, bridges, housing, health and education facilities, agriculture, and disaster preparedness.

Jaishankar stressed the importance of rapid delivery of aid and long-term cooperation, including boosting Indian tourism and foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka. “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before,” he said, expressing confidence in the nation’s resilience as it recovers from the disaster.