Colombo, Dec 23 (PTI) India on Tuesday announced a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Cyclone Ditwah-hit Sri Lanka, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the island nation's top leaders and assured Delhi's steadfast commitment to Colombo's rebuilding post-cyclone.

Jaishankar, who arrived here as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Special Envoy, said that it was natural for India to step forward at a time when Sri Lanka faced a crisis.  The minister called President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed PM Modi's warm wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

"The Letter from Prime Minister Modi that I handed over builds on our First Responder role and commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka," Jaishankar said while addressing the press alongside Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

Jaishankar said he had a detailed discussion with the President on the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and their talks centred around how expeditiously India's assistance package can be delivered.

"The assistance package that we have proposed is worth USD 450 million. It will include USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and USD 100 million of grants," he said.

He said that the assistance will cover sectors worst affected by the cyclone, including rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity; support for the construction of damaged houses, support for health and education systems, agriculture, and working towards better disaster response and preparedness.

"We are conscious that work towards mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on the people of Sri Lanka must be done in the quickest time possible. We are discussing an effective coordination mechanism for the earliest possible delivery," he said.

Jaishankar and his counterpart Herath jointly inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province, one of the areas severely affected by the cyclone, in the presence of President Dissanayake.

The 110-tonne bridge was air-lifted from India and installed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.

Given the scale of damage, restoring connectivity was clearly an immediate priority, and this was in fact discussed between President Dissanayake and PM Modi in their telephone call, Jaishankar said.

He said that a large number of Army Engineers erected the Bailey bridge, transported by C-17 aircraft at Killinochchi. One more Bailey bridge at Chilaw is currently under construction.

He said India’s relief and assistance mission - Operation Sagar Bandhu - commenced on the very day that Cyclone Ditwah made landfall.

"Overall, Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered over 1100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing and water purification kits. About 14.5 tons of medicines and medical equipment were also provided. Yet another 60 tons of equipment was brought to Sri Lanka to assist the relief operations," he said.

Jaishankar also met Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and assured India's steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka's rebuilding post-cyclone. "The reconstruction package offered by India is a reflection of the deep bonding between our two nations," he said.

He also met Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Labour & Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha and Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe and discussed the implementation of the reconstruction package offered and further relief measures. He reiterated India’s full support to Sri Lanka’s recovery and rebuilding.

The minister also interacted with members of the Indian Business community based in Sri Lanka and applauded their contributions towards providing relief during Cyclone Ditwah.

He met Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa and discussed India's proposed reconstruction package. "Just as Sri Lanka was recovering from the economic crisis of 2022, this natural disaster has created ‌new ‍difficulties," Jaishankar, who ‍is on a two-day visit ‌to the island nation, said.

In the case of Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka would appreciate that India has also been a strong advocate of cooperative disaster response. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure was a notable initiative that we led in that regard, Jaishankar said.

He said India’s relief and assistance mission commenced on the very day that Cyclone Ditwah made landfall.

The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and another ship, INS Udayagiri, delivered relief material. Several Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force were active for a period of more than two weeks in Sri Lanka.

An 80-member National Disaster Response Force contingent arrived simultaneously and conducted rescue and relief operations. The Indian Army set up a field hospital with 85 medical personnel near Kandy, giving emergency care to more than 8,000 people. Two modular BHISHM emergency care units were also air-lifted to Sri Lanka and utilised.

In terms of other ways to assist Sri Lanka, Jaishankar said India would encourage Indian tourism to Sri Lanka, as the island nation is a significant tourism economy. "Similarly, an increase in Foreign Direct Investment from India can also boost your economy at a critical time. Our discussions will therefore keep in mind promoting a deeper cooperative relationship between our two countries," he said.

Noting that this is a very difficult period for Sri Lanka, Jaishankar assured that India stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before.

"We have seen in the past the strong resolve and strength among the people of Sri Lanka to overcome challenges and to march ahead," he said, adding that he was sure that Sri Lankans will once again demonstrate great resilience in recovering from this adversity.

Foreign Minister Herath appreciated Jaishankar's visit as the PM's Special Envoy, saying his trip "underscores India's steadfast solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah”.

Sri Lanka and India share a long-standing, multi-dimensional relationship rooted in geographical proximity, deep historical and cultural ties, shared values and expanding economic linkages, Herath said.

"We deeply value India's continued support in stabilising the Sri Lankan economy through multi-pronged assistance, including emergency financing and foreign exchange support, as well as USD 20.66 million extended to settle payments due for projects completed under existing lines of credit.

"We also sincerely appreciate India's crucial role in Sri Lanka's debt restructuring process, including as co-chair of the Officer Creditors Committee, which enabled the timely conclusion of discussions," he said. PTI CORR AMS