Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: India has provided all possible support to Sri Lanka and will continue to stand with the people of the neighbouring country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Chennai during his visit Thursday (May 26).
The Prime Minister said that India “will support democracy, stability and economic recovery,” in the crisis-hit island nation.
Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 11 projects worth over Rs 31,500 crore in Chennai in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PM Modi said, “Sri Lanka is going through difficult times. I am sure you all are concerned about it. As a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India is providing all possible support to the country including financial support, support of fuel, food, medicines and other essential items to the country.”
Underlining India’s efforts to stand by Sri Lanka during its hour of crisis, PM Modi said that India had spoken strongly in international fora for extending economic support to the neighbouring country.
“Many Indian organisations and individuals have sent assistance for their brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka including Tamils in the North and East. India has spoken strongly in the international fora for extending economic support to Sri Lanka. India will continue to stand will the people of Sri Lanka and support democracy, stability and economic recovery,” he said.
Recalling his visit to the Jaffna, PM Modi said, “I can never forget my visit to Jaffna. I was the first PM to visit Jaffna. Indian government is assisting numerous Tamils in Sri Lanka, these projects cover healthcare, housing, culture and transportation.”
India has sent assistance worth several billion US dollars to rescue the money-strapped Sri Lankan government, accompanied by shiploads of humanitarian aid, cooking gas, large quantities of fuel, and medicinal supplies.
Since March this year, Sri Lanka has been in the grip of an economic crisis unparalleled since the country’s independence which sparked severe protests and political unrest leading to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s brother Mahinda Rajapaksa from the prime minister’s post earlier this month and the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the country’s prime minister. (ANI)
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