India on Tuesday announced a USD 450 million reconstruction and assistance package for Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, reaffirming New Delhi’s role as a first responder and a close partner of the island nation. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who visited Colombo as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Special Envoy, met Sri Lanka’s top leadership and assured India’s firm commitment to post-cyclone recovery and rebuilding.

Jaishankar called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s message of solidarity and support. Addressing the media alongside Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Jaishankar said it was natural for India to step forward at a time when Sri Lanka was facing a major crisis.

The assistance package of USD 450 million includes USD 350 million in concessional lines of credit and USD 100 million in grants. Jaishankar said the support would focus on sectors worst affected by the cyclone, including rehabilitation and restoration of roads, railways and bridges, reconstruction of damaged houses, strengthening of health and education infrastructure, revival of agriculture, and improving disaster response and preparedness.

He emphasised that both sides were working on an effective coordination mechanism to ensure the swift delivery of assistance, noting that relief and reconstruction must reach affected communities at the earliest.

As part of India’s relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Herath jointly inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the cyclone-hit Kilinochchi district. The 110-tonne bridge was airlifted from India using C-17 aircraft and erected by Indian Army engineers to restore vital connectivity. Another Bailey bridge is currently under construction at Chilaw.

Jaishankar said Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched on the very day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall. Under the mission, India delivered more than 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing and water purification units. Medical assistance included medicines and equipment, along with the deployment of field hospitals. Indian naval ships, Air Force helicopters, an 80-member NDRF team and Indian Army medical personnel were actively involved in rescue and relief operations.

During his two-day visit, Jaishankar also met Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, senior cabinet ministers, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and members of the Indian business community. He said India would encourage tourism and investment to help Sri Lanka’s economy recover at a critical time.

Foreign Minister Herath expressed deep appreciation for India’s timely assistance, describing it as a reflection of enduring solidarity and strong bilateral relations.