India Delivers 38,000 MT Fuel to Sri Lanka Amid Conflict

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to India on Sunday for delivering 38,000 metric tonnes of fuel to Colombo, providing urgent relief amid supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The shipment, consisting of 20,000 metric tonnes of diesel and 18,000 metric tonnes of petrol, arrived via the Indian Oil Corporation's subsidiary Lanka IOC, helping to alleviate shortages that have led to fuel rationing and long queues across the island nation.

The assistance followed high-level diplomatic engagements between the two countries. On March 23, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke by telephone with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath, discussing the repercussions of the West Asia conflict. The next day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Dissanayake, focusing on the evolving situation in the region and its impact on global energy security. Both leaders emphasized the need to keep shipping lines open and secure, while reviewing initiatives to bolster India-Sri Lanka energy cooperation and regional stability. Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to addressing shared challenges under its...