The government yesterday (03) announced that it could substantially reduce the duration of power cuts after Sri Lanka received a consignment of 40,000 MT of diesel, under the Indian Line of Credit of US$500 million, on Saturday.

Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay handed over the consignment to Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge in Colombo. The Indian High Commission spokesperson issued the following statement in this connection: “This is the fourth consignment, under the fuel Line of Credit, with previous deliveries on 16 March, 20 March and 23 March respectively. With today’s consignment, the total fuel delivered to the people of Sri Lanka, over the last 50 days, amounts to nearly 200,000 MT including a consignment of 40,000 MT, by Indian Oil Corporation, outside the line of credit facility, in February 2022.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Gopal Baglay characterized the fuel deliveries as a concrete manifestation of India’s commitment to the people of Sri Lanka in the current circumstances, in line with the Neighbourhood First Policy. Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge thanked the Government of India for the fuel consignments. Earlier, on 23 March, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recent Indian economic development assistance and credit facilities to Sri Lanka and said he expected the Indian Government would pay special attention to Sri Lanka’s development in the future as well.

It may be recalled that the Export Import Bank of India and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a US$ 500 million Line of Credit Agreement for purchase of petroleum products on 2 February 2022. The Agreement was signed by Treasury Secretary, Mr. S.R. Attygalle, from the Sri Lankan side, and Chief General Manager of EXIM Bank, Mr. Gaurav Bhandari, from the Indian side.

Further, in response to a separate and urgent request from the Government of Sri Lanka, extension of a credit facility of USD 1 billion for supply of essential items, including food and medicines, has been finalised and the first shipments of rice, under this facility, is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon. Earlier in January this year, India had provided financial assistance to Sri Lanka that included a credit swap of US$ 400 million and deferment of an Asian Clearing Union payment of over US$ 515 million. In cumulative terms, Indian support to the people of Sri Lanka, in the first quarter of 2022, is in excess of US$ 2.5 billion.

In view of the urgent nature of Sri Lanka’s requirement, India worked overtime to expeditiously finalise and start implementing both the lines of credit, within weeks.

The Government of India also continues to encourage efforts towards medium to long term capacity creation through enhanced Indian investment in Sri Lanka in key sectors that include ports, renewable energy, manufacturing, etc.”