India firm friend of Sri Lanka - HC

Lakshmi DE SILVA

Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha said India was always with Sri Lanka as her friend and neighbour with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh personally looking into assisting the resettlement and infrastructure development of the North and to provide assistance to the Northern Province.

He was addressing a function at the Galle Face green yesterday to handover galvanized roofing sheets to be used in the IDP resettlement program under Uthuru Vasanthaya. The value of the donation from India was Rs 300 million.

The Indian government had agreed to donate 2,600 metric tons of galvanized roofing sheets in stages and this was the first lot. "We have already provided basic shelter requirements to the IDPs in Kilinochchi and Jaffna. Another 800,000 cement bags to be used in the resettlement in the Northern area would be provided by the Indian government, the Indian High Commissioner said.

In addition to this assistance India had provided medical assistance, food and non food assistance for the IDPs during the past few months.

Indian government would also assist the Government with its rehabilitation program to develop the infrastructure ruined during the long years of armed conflict in the Northern area, especially in the fields of development of infrastructure, education, cultural and health sectors, Kantha noted.