As Sri Lankan farmers wait for fertilizer to start the yala season, India has decided to grant a US$55 million line of credit (LOC) to Sri Lanka for the procurement of urea.

“In response to an urgent request from the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), a LOC Agreement was signed in Colombo on Friday in the presence of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Agriculture, between the GOSL and the Export-Import Bank of India Mahinda Amaraweera and the High Commissioner of India for Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay. Senior officials from the Sri Lankan and Indian sides were also present at the signing ceremony,” the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo said in a statement.

“This LOC will help GOSL secure urea fertilizers for the current season of rice sowing in Yala. In light of the critical requirements, GOSL and EXIM Bank have agreed to complete all procurement procedures expeditiously so that the urea shipments can reach Sri Lanka in a short time.

“During the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for the timely support. The High Commissioner stressed that the speedy completion of the LOC is a testament to the importance the Government of India places on the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka,” the statement added.

In line with its Neighborhood First policy and as a serious friend and partner of Sri Lanka, India has provided multi-pronged assistance to the people of Sri Lanka in recent months.

Support from India ranges from almost US$3.5 billion in economic aid to ensuring Sri Lanka’s food, health and energy security by supplying essential goods such as food, medicines, fuel, kerosene etc.

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