India on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) announced a $450-million “reconstruction package” for Sri Lanka to help the island nation recover from the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is in Colombo as special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the announcement Tuesday (December 23) morning, shortly after he called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Posting on social media platform X, the Sri Lankan leader described India’s gesture as “a new chapter” in Indo–Sri Lanka relations and said he conveyed Sri Lanka’s “deep gratitude” to Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India for their “swift, compassionate support”.

As part of ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, the High Commission of India in Colombo sourced and helped distribute humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and medical assistance to augment the Sri Lankan government’s efforts. “The Indian Army set up a field hospital with 85 medical personnel near Kandy, giving emergency care to more than 8,000 people,” Mr. Jaishankar said, assuring Sri Lanka that “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before”.

Making a media statement alongside Mr. Jaishankar, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said Colombo deeply appreciated his visit, as it “underscores India’s steadfast solidarity with Sri Lanka” in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. He recalled India’s “unprecedented assistance” amounting to $4 billion, extended through lines of credit for essential goods and petroleum, bilateral currency swaps, and liability deferment, when the island’s economy crashed in 2022, leading to a historic sovereign debt default.

The visiting Indian Minister’s trip also included bilateral discussions with the Sri Lankan side, on ongoing and further cooperation. Mr. Jaishankar later called on Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and met with opposition members, including Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and Indian business community representatives in Colombo.