India ships 760 kg medicines to Sri Lanka amid economic crisis
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India has supplied Sri Lanka with 107 types of life-saving medicines. The island nation is struggling with the worst economic crisis in history. The shipment weighed 760 kg and will play a crucial role in the health sector of Sri Lanka.
India's Magar-class amphibious warfare vessel INS Gharial arrived in Colombo in Sri Lanka to deliver the consignment of medicines. Channa Jayasumana, Health Minister of Sri Lanka, received the shipment and said it will be supplied to the University of Peradeniya Hospital.
The Indian Navy undertakes several deployments titled 'Mission SAGAR' to assist friendly Indian Ocean Region littorals as part of the vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region).
Over 2,70,000 MT of foodgrain and oil has been delivered to Sri Lanka since Mid-March. 40,000 tonnes of rice have also been supplied under the recently extended $1 billion credit line. Sri Lanka is struggling to meet the basic needs of the people due to an unprecedented shortage of foreign exchange, urging inflation, and solvency issues with unsustainable debt levels.
India has already helped Sri Lanka with $2.5 billion for rapid post-Covid economic recovery. Earlier in April, New Delhi stated its willingness to commit another $2 billion in financial assistance. "We are neighbours and a close friend. There has been an evolving economic situation as well as other developments," said Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.