Press Statement by EAM during meeting with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka

Hon'ble Vijitha Herath, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka,

High Commissioner Santosh Jha,

Members of our two delegations,

Friends from the Media,

Good Morning, Namaskar, Ayubowan, Vanakkam!

As you are all aware, I am here as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and carrying a message for President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. The President was kind enough to receive me this morning and we had a detailed discussion on the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The Letter from Prime Minister Modi that I handed over builds on our First Responder role and commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka. Our talks centred around how expeditiously this commitment can be delivered.

2. As your closest neighbour and in line with our Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies, it was only natural that India step forward at a time when Sri Lanka faced a crisis. We have done so when you were going through economic difficulties as well. In the case of Cyclone Ditwah, you would appreciate that India has also been a strong advocate of cooperative disaster response. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure was a notable initiative that we led in that regard.

3. India's relief and assistance mission - Operation Sagar Bandhu - commenced on the very day that Cyclone Ditwah made landfall. Our Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant and another ship INS Udayagiri were present at Colombo and delivered relief material and thereafter also deployed helicopters. Thereafter, a number of Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Airforce were active for a period of more than two weeks in Sri Lanka. An 80-member National Disaster Response Force contingent arrived simultaneously and conducted rescue and relief operations. The Indian Army set up a field hospital with 85 medical personnel near Kandy, giving emergency care to more than 8000 people. Two modular BHISHM emergency care units were also air lifted to Sri Lanka and utilized.

4. Given the scale of damage, restoring connectivity was clearly an immediate priority, and this was in fact discussed between His Excellency President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Modi in their telephone call. A large number of Army Engineers erected a Bailey bridge transported by C-17 aircraft at Killinochchi, which Minister Herath referred to earlier in his remarks. One more Bailey bridge at Chilaw is currently under construction. Overall, Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered over 1100 tons of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing and water purification kits. About 14.5 tons of medicines and medical equipment were also provided. Yet another 60 tons of equipment was brought to Sri Lanka to assist the relief operations.

5. Recognising the urgency of rebuilding, Prime Minister Modi directed that we now engage with the Sri Lankan Government to address their priorities in that regard. The assistance package that we have proposed is worth USD 450 million. It will include USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and USD 100 million of grants. This package is being finalized in close consultations with the Government of Sri Lanka. Our assistance will cover sectors worst affected by the cyclone, including:

(i) rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity;

(ii) support for construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged;

(iii) support for health and education systems, in particular, those that have been damaged by the cyclone;

(iv) agriculture, including to address possible shortages in the short and medium term and

(v) working towards better disaster response and preparedness.

6. We are conscious that work towards mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on the people of Sri Lanka must be done in the quickest time possible. We are discussing an effective coordination mechanism for earliest possible delivery.

7. Let me also add that there are other ways by which India can and will be of support to Sri Lanka. You are a significant tourism economy and Minister, let me assure you, that we will continue to encourage tourism traffic from India in that regard. Similarly, an increase in Foreign Direct Investment from India can also boost your economy at a critical time. Our discussions will therefore keep in mind promoting a deeper cooperative relationship between our two countries.

8. Friends, we fully recognize that this is a very difficult period for Sri Lanka. Just as it was recovering from the economic crisis of 2022, this natural disaster has created new difficulties. We have seen in the past the strong resolve and strength among the people of Sri Lanka to overcome challenges and to march ahead. I can assure you that India stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before and I am sure that Sri Lanka will once again demonstrate its great resilience in recovering from this adversity.

9. Thank you.