Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ India on Tuesday announced a major relief and reconstruction package for Sri Lanka as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the island nation’s top leadership during a two-day visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Jaishankar, visiting Sri Lanka as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Special Envoy, held detailed discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. During the meetings, he assured the Sri Lankan leadership of India’s long-term support for rebuilding areas badly affected by the cyclone, which caused widespread damage across the country last month.
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As part of this commitment, India pledged a total of $450 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. The package contains a $100 million grant and $350 million in concessional credit lines. President Dissanayake referred to the statement as “a new chapter in Indo-Sri Lanka relations,” emphasizing the significance of India’s help at a critical juncture for the country. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, also hailed India’s role, recalling New Delhi’s unprecedented assistance during Sri Lanka’s terrible economic crisis in 2022-2023. He said India’s continued engagement reflects a deep understanding of Sri Lanka’s challenges and a willingness to help during times of need.
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Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive devastation across Sri Lanka, killing more than 600 people, damaging or destroying hundreds of buildings, and displacing nearly 200,000 residents. Large parts of the country were hit by floods and landslides, severely affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and essential services. In a statement released after his meeting with President Dissanayake, Jaishankar said the $450 million package was part of India’s “First Responder” efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu. He explained that the assistance would focus on rebuilding roads, railways, and bridges; constructing homes that were fully or partially destroyed; restoring health and education facilities; supporting agriculture to address immediate and medium-term shortages; and strengthening Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response systems.
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the visit reflected New Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and its commitment to supporting close partners in times of crisis. Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched specifically to assist Sri Lanka following the cyclone, and since November 28, India has already delivered more than 1,134 tonnes of humanitarian supplies. These include dry food rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, clothing, water purification equipment, and around 14.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical supplies. During his visit, Jaishankar also met leaders from the Indian-origin Tamil community, who shared their assessment of the cyclone’s impact. He said India’s proposed reconstruction package was discussed in detail.
In separate meetings with Sri Lankan Tamil political leaders in Colombo, the minister reiterated India’s commitment to inclusive recovery and rehabilitation efforts across affected regions. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Sajith Premadasa, leader of the opposition coalition Samagi Jana Balawegaya. Premadasa thanked India for standing by Sri Lanka during difficult times, saying that true neighbors always step forward when it matters most. Jaishankar also highlighted the importance of tourism and investment in helping Sri Lanka recover economically. He assured Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister that India would continue to encourage tourist flows and promote increased Indian investment, which could provide a much-needed boost to the economy.
According to a World Bank report released on Monday, Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated $4.1 billion in direct physical damage, equivalent to about four percent of Sri Lanka’s GDP. Infrastructure suffered the most, followed by housing, schools, health facilities, and industrial buildings. The Sri Lankan government has secured approval to redirect $120 million from an existing World Bank project for disaster recovery, while the IMF recently approved $206 million in emergency financing. Jaishankar concluded his official visit to Sri Lanka later on Tuesday, reaffirming India’s role as a close partner in the country’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.
