India, Dec. 24 -- India has announced a major reconstruction assistance package worth $450 million to help Sri Lanka recover from the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday during his visit to Colombo. Acting as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar conveyed India's commitment to stand by Sri Lanka as it rebuilds after one of the most destructive natural disasters in its recent history. He said the proposal marks a shift from emergency relief to long-term reconstruction and recovery.

According to Jaishankar, Prime Minister Modi's message to the Sri Lankan leadership reaffirmed India's role as a first responder and outlined a comprehensive rebuilding plan. The pa...