New Delhi: India on Tuesday delivered 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel to Sri Lanka to help ease the energy crisis faced by the island nation.
A statement issued by the Indian High Commission said that “India a committed partner and a true friend of Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner (Gopal Baglay) handed over 40,000 MT fuel consignment by the Indian Oil Company.”
Sri Lanka opted to buy 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel and petrol from India’s Oil major Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to meet the urgent energy requirements in the economic crisis worsened by depleted foreign reserves.
Sri Lanka experienced shortages of most essentials as imports were curbed due to the shortage of foreign currency to pay for them.
India In January announced a USD 900 million loan to Sri Lanka to build up its depleted foreign reserves and for food imports, amid a shortage of almost all essential commodities in the country.
The economic relief package for Sri Lanka provided a lifeline to the island nation which was facing food shortages as the foreign reserves dropped to unprecedented levels, affecting the power supply and availability of fuel.
On Tuesday Energy minister Udaya Gammanpila and the Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay were at the Colombo port where the oil tanker Swarna Pushp delivered the consignment.
(_Vinayak)