New Delhi, July 10 (FN Agency) India on Sunday said it is closely following the developments in Sri Lanka, and said it stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they battle with the crisis.”India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds. We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
The MEA said in pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in our Neighbourhood First policy, India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over US$ 3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation in Sri Lanka.”We continue to follow closely the recent developments in Sri Lanka. India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework,” the MEA said.Thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka broke through police barricades and stormed president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence in Colombo on Saturday.Rajapaksa has told the Speaker that he will resign on July 13.