India sends water, rice as SL faces severe drought

9 April 2017 11:24 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

With Sri Lanka staring at one of the worst droughts in the last four decades, India has provided an emergency assistance of water and rice to the Island country.

The government has already handed over eight water bowsers to the Sri Lankan authorities and the consignment of rice would be delivered soon.

“In response to a request from the Government of Sri Lanka for drought relief assistance, Government of India has announced the decision to provide 8 water bowsers and 100 metric tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka. The supply of these items is in the nature of emergency assistance to augment relief measures undertaken in the wake of severe drought faced by Sri Lanka,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament in a written reply.

The lorry-mounted water bowsers were given to the Government of Sri Lanka on March 21. “India has always been among the first to respond to requests from the neighbouring countries in times of crisis. The current gifting of the water bowsers and rice is part of that policy,” Swaraj added.

Sri Lanka is suffering from the worst drought in 40 years with over a million people facing acute water shortages. The Island country has experienced prolonged dry season with some districts having 60-70 percent less rainfall. The local wells and reservoirs are running dry.

The harvest of rice is going to be hit due to water shortage and the prospect of rice shortage later this year is looming large. The Sri Lankan government has also taken slew of measures to contain the fallout of the rice shortage. It has already waived off taxes on rice imports and is expected to increase rice imports to meet the demand at home.

Water shortage has also compounded problems for the energy sector of the country that depends on hydro-power.(Indian Express)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 17

Rohan Monday, 10 April 2017 11:25 AM

Our politicians made us a shameless country now.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 11 April 2017 09:50 AM

Ha Ha...we were talking big about sovereignty but now have handed over part of Hambantota to Chinese for 99 years.

sara Monday, 10 April 2017 08:51 PM

People are dying due to draught in India.

Ranjan Monday, 10 April 2017 06:27 PM

Sending a ship load of assistance is a tradition all countries do,we have done these many times in the past. Go to India and see the Poverty andRape on an epidemic scale before you make further pro Indian rubbish.

r86 Monday, 10 April 2017 03:12 PM

we became beggars with this government... via DM Android App

AIR DROP Monday, 10 April 2017 02:49 PM

How about some Parrippu drops, like the good old days.

Dee Monday, 10 April 2017 01:43 PM

Please send us some proper doctors. Dire need for them.

Mason Monday, 10 April 2017 01:37 PM

We are grateful to India for the drought relief assistance. Will this stop people from critisizing India at every turn.

Ahmed Monday, 10 April 2017 12:30 PM

shame on lankan politicians . indonesia sent us rice , pakistan sent us rice. now india is sending rice. we have become the beggars of asia

lara Monday, 10 April 2017 07:46 AM

what a shame - we could not buy 8 browsers . each every minister can afford more than 100 water wosers

Rohan Monday, 10 April 2017 11:22 AM

8 MP's duty free car allowances could save money for 8 water bowsers.

Thanos Monday, 10 April 2017 09:57 AM

Any assistance is welcome!

Sambo Monday, 10 April 2017 09:44 AM

Yes! most of our people are running in top vehicles and big show offs but the government has to beg for food from other countries to feed these show offs. We are country that only talks but no action.

ceylon Monday, 10 April 2017 09:31 AM

india now helps over 30 poor countries economicalyeducationalyindustrialy and other ways.thank you. via DM Android App

Jagath Leanage Monday, 10 April 2017 08:53 AM

First time we heard that we have a drastic drought .

mm Monday, 10 April 2017 08:16 AM

everything seems to have come to a stand still except the cost of living and the and the heat which is rising via DM iOS App

mm Monday, 10 April 2017 08:16 AM

everything seems to have come to a stand still except the cost of living and the and the heat which is rising via DM iOS App

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

India sends water, rice as SL faces severe drought

Comments - 17

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

Corporal from Air Force Rugby pool killed in police shootout

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

April 15 declared a government holiday

Sri Lanka defaults on USD 6 billion payment despite rising reserves: Patali

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES