Colombo/New Delhi, April 30: India has handed over a large consignment of drugs and other medical supplies to Sri Lanka, which is facing a severe shortage of essential drugs amid an economic downturn. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay handed over the consignment on Friday. Indian Naval Ship Ghariyal was specially deployed for ensuring expeditious delivery of the medical consignment, a gift from the people of India. Sri Lankan Health Minister Channa Jayasumana received the consignment. The Indian High Commission said the medical supplies are in response to the request from Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya. Shortage of essential supplies in the Teaching Hospital was noted by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his visit to Sri Lanka in March. The Indian High Commission said that more medical consignments in response to specific requests by various medical entities operating in Sri Lanka are being scheduled from India. In addition, $ 200 million has been earmarked for the supply of medical supplies under the $1 billion credit line for essential commodities like food, medicine etc. India has been extending expeditious support to Sri Lanka in the recent past. Overall economic assistance which stands close to $3 billion in 2022 alone has been of various kinds — $1 billion credit line for essentials; $500 million credit line for purchase of petroleum products; $400 million bilateral currency swap; and over $1 billion under the Asian Clearing Union Framework. The $1 billion credit line is operational and 16,000 MT of rice has already reached Sri Lanka under it. (UNI)
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