New Delhi/Colombo, Dec 23: India on Monday announced a US$450 million reconstruction and humanitarian assistance package for Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which left hundreds dead and caused widespread economic damage.
The announcement was made by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during his official visit to Colombo, where he handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, outlining New Delhi’s commitment to support post-cyclone recovery.
According to the World Bank, Cyclone Ditwah claimed more than 640 lives, affected over two million people, and inflicted losses estimated at US$4 billion, equivalent to around 4 per cent of Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product. President Dissanayake described the storm as “the most challenging natural disaster in the island’s history.”
Jaishankar said the Indian assistance would include US$350 million in concessional lines of credit and US$100 million in grants, aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring livelihoods.
“We are committing to a reconstruction package of US$450 million,” the minister told a media briefing, underlining India’s role as Sri Lanka’s closest regional partner during times of crisis.
India had earlier dispatched 998 tonnes of relief material, including medicines and essential supplies, in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone. The Indian military also assisted Sri Lankan authorities by deploying portable bridges to help restore connectivity in flood- and landslide-affected areas.
“Given the scale of damage, restoring connectivity was clearly an immediate priority,” Jaishankar said.
The assistance reinforces India’s continued humanitarian and strategic engagement with Sri Lanka as the island nation grapples with the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history.
