India hands over of Rs. 2 b worth humanitarian assistance

Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay yesterday handed over a large consignment of humanitarian assistance worth more than Rs. 2 billion from the people of India to Sri Lanka.

The handing over function was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister for Ports and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva, Former Minister Vajira Abeywardena, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, Leader of Ceylon Workers Congress Senthil Thondaman, Food Commissioner J. Krishnamurthy, among senior officials and others.

The consignment consists of 9,000 MT of rice, 50 MT of milk powder and more than 25 MT of drugs and other medical supplies. 

The consignment was flagged off from Chennai port by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru M.K Stalin, on 18 May. This is also the first consignment under a larger $ 16 million commitment of 40,000 MT of rice, 500 MT of milk powder and medicines by Government of Tamil Nadu.

Handed over materials shall be distributed among vulnerable and needy sections in various parts of Sri Lanka including Northern, Eastern, Central and Western Provinces by Government of Sri Lanka in the coming days. 

The High Commission said more humanitarian consignments and other forms of assistance from India shall follow. Multi-pronged endeavour by both the Government and people of India underlines the importance attached to Sri Lanka and reflects their concerns for the well-being of its people. Support extended to Sri Lanka ranges from economic assistance worth around $ 3.5 billion, supply of vaccines, testing kits, close to 1000 MT of liquid oxygen to combat COVID-19, immediate response by Indian Navy and Coast Guard to mitigate marine disasters etc.