The recent developments in Sri Lanka were being followed closely, the MEA said

A day after protestors stormed the Sri Lankan President's official residence, India has said that it 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".

"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," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries on Sunday.

Pointing out that the recent developments in Sri Lanka were being followed closely, he said "India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds".

In pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in the Neighbourhood First policy, India had extended this "an unprecedented support" of over US$ 3.8 billion this year itself for ameliorating the serious economic situation in Sri Lanka, Bagchi pointed out.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that India had always been supportive of Sri Lanka and it was trying to help the neighbouring country through its current economic crisis.

Speaking with mediapersons in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, EAM Jaishankar said, "They are right now working through their problems, so we have to wait and see what they do."

Sri Lanka was plunged into an unprecedented political crisis after thousands of angry protestors on Saturday stormed the official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the home of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Both have since said that they will resign from their positions.

Anger has mounted over the past several weeks as Sri Lanka grapples with a severe economic crisis, including acute shortage of food, fuel, medicines, and other essential items.