Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, May 21: Sri Lanka received another 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel from India on Saturday as part of a credit line facility for the island nation, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades.
India offered an additional $500 million credit line to Sri Lanka this month to assist the country pay for imports after its foreign exchange reserves plunged drastically in recent months, creating a depreciation of its currency and spiralling inflation.
Pumping diesel into #SriLanka!!! Another 40,000 MT consignment of diesel under the credit line from #India reached #Colombo today. pic.twitter.com/FNk5fbvSFj
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) May 21, 2022
An Indian ship filled with vital relief supplies such as food, medications, and milk powder for the people of crisis-hit Sri Lanka is due to arrive in Colombo on Sunday, according to the embassy here.
On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin sent off a ship packed with relief supplies from Chennai, the first to be dispatched to Sri Lanka.
The first cargo included 9,000 metric tonnes of grains, 200 metric tonnes of milk powder, and 24 metric tonnes of life-saving medications worth Rs 45 crore.
The Indian people’s help complements the government’s multi-pronged efforts by standing with their Sri Lankan brothers and sisters, the High Commission stated in a press release on Friday.
Several Indian private and social organisations have given aid to Sri Lanka to cover a variety of pressing needs. This outpouring of support for Sri Lanka among ordinary Indians comes in addition to the government of India’s economic help, which has totaled roughly USD 3.5 billion since January of this year. The government of India has also given medications, dry meals, and other items on a grant basis, according to the statement.
