Last year Sri Lanka had to face a severe economic crisis. During this, India had provided assistance of about four billion dollars to Colombo through different means under its policy of neighbor first. In his address at a grand dinner for delegates of the Indian Travel Congress here on Friday (July 6), Abhaywardene said India saved us during the financial crisis, otherwise we all would have had to face another bloodshed.
Mahinda Yapa Abhaywardene thanked India for the help given to Sri Lanka which is facing cash crunch. Recalled the relations and similarities between the two countries and their cultures. Abhaywardane said, “Sri Lanka and India are very closely linked countries culturally, nationally and politically. India has been a very close ally and trusted friend of Sri Lanka. India always helped us whenever we were in trouble.
He said that I have heard that India is ready to extend the restructuring of our debts for 12 years. There was never such an expectation, nor has any country in history given such assistance.
Abhaywardene praised India in the presence of Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay, Sri Lankan Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando and other senior officials of the Sri Lankan government. Referring to Baglay, the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament said, “Your (Indian) ambassador here is our very close friend. We love and respect them.
In a conversation with PTI, Abhaywardene said that India has always come forward to help Sri Lanka in times of crisis. He emphasized the financial support extended to New Delhi last year when the island nation was in economic turmoil. He said that this helped us survive for six months in the midst of the crisis.
