Alongside India, China is set to play role in post-disaster rebuilding process

By Kelum Bandara   

Alongside India, China is also likely to play a key role in Sri Lanka’s post-disaster rebuilding efforts, according to a top source.  

However, a formal commitment on the nature of assistance - grants and loans - is yet to be announced.   

Recently, a top level Chinese delegation arrived in Sri Lanka .  

China is prepared to extend all necessary assistance to Sri Lanka at all times and is ready to share its experience with Sri Lanka under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme,” Wang Junzheng, Member of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC Committee of Xizang Autonomous Region as quoted in a press release issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD).  

In response to a query by Daily M

India has already announced a financial package of US $ 450 million - 100 million in grants and the rest in terms of concessionary loans - for rebuilding efforts. It was announced during tirror whether China has committed financial assistance formally, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said, “Not yet, most probably they will do.”he recent visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar as the special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The World Bank has estimated damages caused by Cyclone Ditwah to be US $ 4.1 billion.