India says it continues to be supportive of Sri Lanka in all possible ways, and rejects reports that there will be no further financial assistance to the island.
The Indian High Commission says this in a statement issued by its spokesperson Eldos Mathew Punnoose in response to media queries regarding reports on no further financial support from India.
The statement says, “We would like to emphasise that India has extended unprecedented bilateral assistance amounting close to four billion US dollars this year for ameliorating the difficulties faced by the people of Sri Lanka.”
“India has also advocated to other bilateral and multilateral partners supporting Sri Lanka expeditiously in its current economic difficulties.”
“We have also noted the conclusion of a Staff Level Agreement between IMF and Government of Sri Lanka. Its further approval within IMF is contingent upon, inter alia, on Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability.”
The statement stresses, “We continue to be supportive of Sri Lanka in all possible ways, in particular by promoting long-term investments from India in key economic sectors in Sri Lanka for its early economic recovery and growth.”
“In addition, our bilateral development cooperation projects in Sri Lanka, which cumulatively total about 3.5 billion US dollars, are ongoing.”
“Sri Lankans also continue to avail of scholarships for higher education and skills training in premier Indian institutions.”
“These aspects of our close and long-standing cooperation with Sri Lanka also contribute to the efforts for addressing Sri Lanka’s current economic difficulties,” the statement adds.
