Sri Lanka conveys 'profound' gratitude to India for crisis support

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry conveyed Sri Lanka's profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, Minister S Jaishankar and the people of India for assisting Sri Lanka in the face of the economic crisis by providing support amounting to USD 4 billion.

"We are experiencing our most serious economic crisis. It is no exaggeration to say that it was for the most part, the enormous support amounting to USD 4 billion worth of credit line provided by India for the import of essential goods as well as other humanitarian assistance that we were able to regain some level of financial and economic stability," Sabry said on January 20 in a press conference in Sri Lanka alongside his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.

"For this on behalf of the Sri Lankan president, the government and the citizens of Sri Lanka, I convey our profound gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, the Indian government, Jaishankar and to the people of India," the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister said.

"The longstanding relations between India and Sri Lanka are based on cultural and historical links, shared values and growing economic connection. India is the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka, we hope the country's progress will benefit the region," Sabry said.

We are watching India's economic success and international admiration with great prestige, he added.

Minister Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka from January 19-20.

(ANI)