India has sent about 150 tonnes more oxygen to Sri Lanka to help theisland nation combat the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Sri Lanka on Friday extended its nationwide lockdown till September 13amidst a surge in the number of COVID-19 deaths and mounting pressureon the healthcare system.“Lifeline from India to Sri Lanka close to 150 tonnes of oxygen fromVizag and Chennai reached the shores of Colombo,” the Indian HighCommission in Colombo tweeted on Saturday.
India since mid last month has been sending urgent supplies of oxygento Sri Lanka following a personal request for assistance by the SriLankan President Rajapaksa, it said.Indian naval ship Shakti in August delivered 100 tonnes of liquidmedical oxygMaken to Sri Lanka to help the island nation.India’s assistance to Sri Lanka during the pandemic has been variedand need-based.Close to 26 tonnes of essential medical supplies were gifted inApril-May 2020.
A currency swap of USD 400 million was provided inJuly 2020.The first consignment of vaccines, which was donated by India inJanuary 2021, enabled Sri Lanka to roll out its vaccination programmeahead of the schedule, the Indian High Commission said.Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a rapid rise in infections.
As of Thursday, over 9,600 people have died due to the coronavirus andthe total number of infections stood at 447,757.Sri Lanka, which has witnessed a series of lockdowns and curfews tocontain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, has been impacted interms of its economy.The tourism sector, which generates a huge quantum of revenue for theisland nation, has seen a drastic fall.Courtesy: Financial Express