Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, India has always dreamt of a secure, prosperous and peaceful future for Sri Lanka where aspirations of all for growth and development are met.
Addressing the beneficiaries of an Indian housing project in Sri Lanka through a video message, Mr Modi said, Sri Lanka has always been special for India and will remain so. He said, the Indian housing project in Sri Lanka with a grant over 350 million dollars is the largest Indian grant assistance in any country abroad.
On the occasion, more than 400 houses were provided to Tamils of Indian origin families who are employed in plantation sector of hill areas. The function was held near Nuware eliya in central Province despite inclement weather.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, thanked the Indian government for the assistance. He also thankaed Mr Modi for the pre-hospital emergency ambulance service which was expanded all over Srilanka last month with Indian assistance.
India, as part of its development assistance to Sri Lanka, has already built 46 thousand houses in war affected north and east provinces while another four thousand houses were earmarked for plantation workers in central and Uva province. India has committed development assistance of around 3 billion dollars to Sri Lanka out of which around 550 million dollars is pure grant.
