India on Sunday 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.”
This underlining of democratic processes, institutions and Constitution was in reference to the popular anger that had exploded on the streets on Saturday. Sunday was calmer in Colombo, according to Sri Lankan media reports.
The Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Arindam Bag chi said, “India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbor and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds.” “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,” he said.
“We continue to closely follow the recent developments in Sri Lanka. India 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,” Bagchi said.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that High Commissioner Gopal Bagley met the Sri Lankan Agriculture minister on Sunday. “In pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in our Neighborhood First policy, India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over US$ 3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation in Sri Lanka,” the spokesperson said.
