India airlifts three tons of anti-TB medicines to Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India yesterday dispatched about three tons of anti-tuberculosis (TB) medicines to Sri Lanka, adding to a steady flow of health-sector support from the island’s largest development partner.

The consignment, a gift from the people of India to Sri Laanka, was flown to Colombo aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J military transport aircraft, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

“India remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s public health system,” Dr. Jaishankar said.

India has supplied medicines to Sri Lanka repeatedly since the 2022 economic crisis, when the foreign exchange shortage made it difficult even for private importers to buy medicines and medical consumables. That year, India delivered a large consignment of drugs and medical supplies requested by the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, after Dr. Jaishankar noted shortages there during a visit to Sri Lanka in March 2022. New Delhi also earmarked $ 200 million for medical supplies under its $ 1 billion credit line for essentials such as food and medicine.

India’s economic, financial and humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka exceeded $ 3.5 billion in 2022, comprising three credit lines of over $ 1.5 billion and forex support of around $ 2 billion, according to the Indian High Commission.

More recently, India extended a $ 450 million assistance package following Cyclone Ditwah, comprising $ 350 million in concessional lines of credit in Indian Rupees and $ 100 million in grants.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha has put India’s cumulative assistance to Sri Lanka at over $ 7.5 billion, including more than $ 850 million in grants, with projects in all 25 districts covering infrastructure, housing, health, livelihoods, education, agriculture, renewable energy, railways and industrial development