New Delhi: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his gratitude to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ‘people of India’ on Sunday for handing over humanitarian aid of Rs 2 billion amid the ongoing economic crisis in the island nation. Taking to his Twitter handle, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister wrote, “Sri Lanka today received Rs. 2 billion worth Humanitarian aid including milk powder, rice, and medicines from India. Our sincere gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Hon. @mkstalin and the People of India for the support extended.”
According to a report by news agency ANI, PM Wickremesinghe also thanked the High Commission of India in Colombo as well as Senthil Thondaman, leader of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) for their help.
He wrote, “I also appreciate the assistance given by the @IndiainSL and CWC Leader @S_Thondaman in Sri Lanka.”
Taking to its Twitter handle, the Indian High Commission to Colombo also wrote, “A message of care! From the people of to the people of …High Commissioner handed over rice, milk powder& medicines worth more than SLR 2 billion to Hon’ble FM Prof.G.L Peiris in #Colombo today. Hon’ble Minister @nimaldsilva, @VajiraAbey, @SagalaRatnayaka, @S_Thondaman.”
It is to be noted that amid the prevailing crisis in Sri Lanka, India handed over a large amount of aid consignment worth over Rs 2 billion to the island nation that reached Colombo on Sunday.
The consignment sent from India comprises 9,000 metric tons of rice, and 50 metric tons of milk powder, along with over 25 metric tons of drugs, and other pharmaceutical supplies.
This consignment will be distributed among the beneficiaries, including Northern, Eastern, Central, and Western provinces, by the Sri Lankan government, as reported by Colombo Page.
Earlier, the Indian government had also sent out dry rations, medicines and other essential commodities to Sri Lanka on a grant basis.