Indian assistance to Sri Lanka totals SLR 517 billion, including SLR 92 bn in grants

Discussion on Batticaloa hospital project underway (pic courtesy Indian HC)

India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around SLR 517 billion, including SLR 92 billion under grants, the Indian High Commission said in a media statement recently.

The following is the text of the statement that primarily dealt with the ongoing construction of a Surgical Unit to Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa:

“The Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting for Construction of Surgical Unit to Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa, chaired by Mr. Vinod K. Jacob, Deputy High Commissioner, held at High Commission of India on 19 August 2020, reviewed the progress of implementation of the Project. The meeting was attended by the officials of the High Commission of India, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Department of External Resources and Department of Project Management and Monitoring of Ministry of Finance, Project Consultant from Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) and Contractor from Malwatte Constructions.

“The project worth SLR 262 Million is being implemented as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) in Sri Lanka. The modernization and improvement of infrastructure for surgeries will benefit the people in and around Eastern Province. India remains committed to further strengthening the health infrastructure of Sri Lanka by implementation of grant projects like 1990 Suwasariya Emergency Ambulance Service, Construction of sanitation units in Batticaloa. India donated 25 tonnes of emergency medicines and medical kits during COVID pandemic to Sri Lanka. A special assistance of USD 1 million through SAARC Development Fund is also being provided for setting up of COVID isolation ward for the National Hospital in Kandy.

“These projects are in continuation of Government of India’s people-oriented development cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka. India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around SLR 517 billion and among these, SLR 92 billion under grants.