These are in addition to the supplies and lines of credit provided by the Government of India

Humanitarian aid worth more than SLR 3.4 billion provided by India was handed over to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

The consignment was handed over by Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to Ali Sabry PC, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health and Water Supplies in Colombo. Member of Parliament Jeevan Thondaman and Ceylon Worker’s Congress leader Senthil Thondaman attended the event.

The official handle of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted about it, writing, "Coming together of the people and Government of #India for the people of #SriLanka!!!High Commissioner handed over humanitarian supplies valued at over SLR 3.4 billion donated by Government of #TamilNadu to Hon'ble Ministers Ali Sabry and @keheliya_R".

The large humanitarian consignment consisting of 16,594 MT of rice, 200 MT of milk powder and around 38 MT of medicines was donated by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

According to the Indian High Commission, this was the third such consignment from the Government of Tamil Nadu, which has donated a total of 40,000 MT of rice, 500 MT of milk powder and more than 100 MT of medicines whose total worth is more than USD 22 million.

Critical medicines like 25,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine formed a part of these supplies.

These supplies are distributed among the beneficiaries by Government of Sri Lanka. The humanitarian supplies which were handed over on Tuesday are also expected to reach the beneficiaries in different parts of Sri Lanka in the coming days.

"The people of India have been complementing Government of India’s efforts in standing with the people of Sri Lanka towards addressing their diverse needs," the Indian High Commission said.

The Indian government has provided multi-pronged support of over USD 3.8 billion by Government of India to the Sri Lankan people during the year. This has been strengthened by independent initiatives of various hospitals, Indian community organizations in Sri Lanka and several other entities based in India who donated generously for their brethren in Sri Lanka.

"The coming together of the people and Government of India towards the cause underscores the abiding people to people connect between India and Sri Lanka and the mutual care and concern for each other," the Indian High Commission said.

Sri Lanka has been battling a severe economic crunch, including a shortage of essential items. This led to violent protests that plunged the country into a political crisis and forced a change of President.