Colombo, Dec. 23 -- Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath expressed gratitude towards India for assistance in the aftermath of devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, hailing New Delhi's Operation Sagar Bandhu.

In a media statement on Tuesday, Sri Lankan Minister Herath thanked India for the economic support to Sri Lanka, as New Delhi provided a comprehensive USD 450 million assistance package for reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. He noted that India has provided USD 4 billion in assistance through lines of credit to Colombo's economy.

He said Sri Lanka "deeply values" India's continuous economic assistance through emergency financing, foreign exchange support and USD 20.66 million extended to settle payments d...