In keeping with its “neighborhood first” policy, India’s High Commissioner to Colombo, Gopal Baglay, handed out 3.3 tonnes of crucial medical supplies to the 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance Service on Friday.
During his March 2022 visit to the Suwaseriya Headquarters in Colombo, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was informed about the Foundation’s impending medical supply shortfall, according to Baglay. The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Gharial was expressly dispatched for this reason, according to the High Commission, in response to the urgent demand for medical supplies.
Medical supplies for General Hospital Hambantota, Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, and Teaching Hospital Jaffna was also taken on board INS Gharial and Suwaseriya Foundation.
On May 27, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Vinod K. Jacob presented Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella with a shipment of over 25 tonnes of medical goods in Colombo. The consignment is valued at close to Rs 260 million, according to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka on Twitter.
These humanitarian supplies are part of the Indian government’s continuous help for the people of Sri Lanka, which includes financial aid, monetary assistance, material supplies, and more. These initiatives demonstrate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, which prioritizes human-to-human interaction, is still in effect.
Sri Lanka’s relationship with India is growing stronger and more mutually beneficial. Aside from aid during the epidemic and fertilizer shortages, India is also giving essential items to island nations.