By N.U.Abdul Razzak Udayar
“The degree of loving is measured by the degree of giving.” Edwin Louis Cole
India that is the closest neighbour and bosom friend of Sri Lanka has been going out of its way to largely help Sri Lanka to get a big relief as it is struggling to come out of its worst ever economic crisis.
The latest magnanimity of India is shown from the state of Tamil Nadu that has the umbilical connections with Sri Lanka in terms of language and culture. The greatest example is set by none other than the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who has got a golden heart not only for the masses of Tamil Nadu and India but also for thecitizens of the crisis hit Sri Lanka.
It is apt to mention that the DMK members of the parliament have decided to donate a month’s salary for the cause of Sri Lanka honouring the request of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K.Stalin.
When the energetic Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. Stalin personally appealed to the people of the state of Tamil Nadu, the whole region of it has quickly come forward to make their contributions to send a huge shipment of essential items such as rice, milk powder and drugs to Lanka taking a deep sympathy for the plight of the masses of Sri Lanka as the wolf is at the door there.
The carefully packed consignment worth more than 2 billion Sri Lankan Rupees from the people of India, particularly that of Tamil Nadu was flagged off from the Chennai Harbour by the Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin on 18th May 2022. In fact, this is the first incoming consignment under a large commitment of 40, 000 MT of rice, 500 MT of milk powder and medicines by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It translates to more than SLR 5.5 billion.
These essential items will be distributed among the beneficiaries across the country including Northern, Eastern, Central and Western Provinces by the Government of Sri Lanka. They cover diverse sections of the society.
India that always readily extends its generous helping hand to Sri Lanka whenever it gets into trouble has crucially helped Sri Lanka with the aid package of 3.5 billion USD since January this year. Importantly, the blessings of India has paved the way to prompt the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide1 billion dollars credit facility to Sri Lanka to help it come out of the economic crunch.
A big bouquet of thanks is offered to the Chief Minister of INdia Hon. M.K. Stalin by Sri Lanka masses for being instrumental for his commitment to help Sri Lanka at this hour of struggle.