New Delhi, April 12 (Agency) A consignment of 11,000 MT of rice from India arrived at Colombo port today, ahead of the Sinhala New Year on April 13 and 14. India has already sent 16,000 MT rice in the past week, as part of New Delhi’s multi pronged support to the island nation that is struggling with an unprecedented food and fuel crisis. These supplies mark the special bond between India and Sri Lanka, and will continue, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in a tweet.
“11,000 MT rice from #India reached #Colombo on board ship Chen Glory today ahead of New Year celebration by people of Sri Lanka. 16,000 MT rice supplied under India’s multi-pronged support to Sri Lanka in the past week alone.These supplies which mark the special bond between India & Sri Lanka will continue.” The rice is being offered under a credit line of $1 billion to Sri Lanka announced by India towards the purchase of food, medicine and other essential commodities. Of this credit line, $150 million is earmarked for rice supplies to Sri Lanka. India is providing around 40,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka to help ease the shortage of essential food commodities in the country.