India sends 15,000 litres of kerosene for fisherfolk in crisis-hit Sri Lanka

India despatched 15,000 litres of kerosene to Sri Lanka on Saturday to assist 700 fisherfolk and energy ferry providers within the Tamil-dominated Jaffna metropolis, days after it delivered round 40,000 metric tonnes of petrol to the debt-ridden island nation which is grappling with its worst financial disaster.

India prolonged a further USD 500 million credit score line to Sri Lanka final month to assist the neighbouring nation import gas because it has been struggling to pay for imports after its overseas trade reserves plummeted sharply in current instances, inflicting a devaluation of its foreign money and spiralling inflation.

“Continuing Indian assistance to Sri Lanka. 15000 ltrs of kerosene gifted to 700 fishermen of Delft, Nainativu, Eluvaitivu & Analitivu. CG Shri Raakesh Natraj with Fisheries Min Hon. Douglas Devananda initiated distribution; part of the consignment will also power ferry service between islands,” the Consulate General of India in Jaffna stated in a tweet.

ALSO READ | Lankan PM Wickremesinghe appreciates India’s help to crisis-hit nation

India on Friday handed over 25 tonnes of medical provides value over USD 700,000 to Sri Lanka as a part of its ongoing efforts to assist the island nation fight its worst financial disaster.

India on Monday stated it delivered round 40,000 metric tonnes of petrol to Sri Lanka, days after supplying 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel underneath the Indian credit score line to assist ease the acute gas scarcity within the nation.

Last week, India despatched pressing aid provides comprising 9,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice, 200 MT of milk powder and 24 MT of life-saving medicines with a mixed worth of Rs 45 crore to Sri Lanka.

On Friday, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation for the help India has been extending to his nation throughout “this difficult period”.

Taking to Twitter, the prime minister stated he had a dialog with India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.

“I expressed our country’s appreciation for the support India has extended during this difficult period. I look forward to further strengthening ties between our nations,” he wrote.

Sri Lanka goes by way of the worst financial disaster since independence in 1948.

A crippling scarcity of overseas reserves has led to lengthy queues for gas, cooking fuel and different necessities whereas energy cuts and hovering meals costs heaped distress on the individuals.

The financial disaster has additionally triggered a political disaster in Sri Lanka and a requirement for the resignation of the highly effective Rajapaksas.