Dumanimail,28/3 : Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday paid a visit to a Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) fuel station in Colombo. His visit comes days after India extended financial assistance of US$ 1 billion under a Line of Credit to Sri Lanka, of which US$ 500 million is being utilized for the purchase of fuel. His visit also comes at a time when Sri Lanka is facing a worsening economic crisis, which has resulted in the shortage of several essential items, including fuel. In a Tweet, the EAM said he was briefed on the fuel supply situation by the Managing Director of the LIOC, Manoj Gupta.
“Indian LoC of US$ 500 million is helping Sri Lankan people in their everyday life,” he said. The EAM arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday night for bilateral talks and to participate in a meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation in Colombo. Earlier in the day, he met Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The focus of their talks was Sri Lanka’s economic situation and Indian assistance in several spheres. EAM said in a tweet: “Began the visit by meeting Finance Minister @RealBRajapaksa “Discussed the economic situation and India’s supportive response. We will continue to be guided by Neighbourhood First.” Jaishankar is also due to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris later in the day.
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