India extended unprecedented support of $3.8 bn to Sri Lanka
Ministry of External Affairs said, “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means, values, established institutions and constitutional framework”. In the first reaction to the Sri Lankan political turmoil.
Thousands of angry protestors in Sri Lanka stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence and set fire to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private house. The agitation Sri Lankans showed was over the country's ongoing economic crisis. Just a day after their protest Ministry of External Affairs of India made comments on extending further support.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “India continues to closely follow the developments in Sri Lanka... India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour, and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds. We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period,".
In queries raised by the media Bagchi also mentioned India’s financial assistance to Sri Lanka this year. In pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in our Neighbourhood First policy, India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over USD 3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation in Sri Lanka," said Bagchi in response.
The island nation of Sri Lanka has been undergoing severe food shortages, fuel and medicines in the last months as the Country’s economic crisis deteriorated.
As the situation worsened Sri Lankan citizens took it upon themselves and protested in the streets and the public anger almost let the government to quit.
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