The Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service was established in 2016 with USD 7.6 million in funding from India

India has sent medical supplies for use by a free pre-hospital ambulance service in Sri Lanka that it helped set up in 2016.

The supply comes as India continues to help the embattled island nation which is reeling under a severe economic crunch and a shortage of essential items, including food, fuel, and medicine.

During his visit to Sri Lanka in March, Jaishankar was informed about shortage of medicines faced by the 1990 Suwa Seriya free pre-hospital care ambulance service.

India's High Commission in Sri Lanka has now given over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to enable the important lifeline to function smoothly.

On Friday, the official handle of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka tweeted, "Another promise to the people of #SriLanka delivered!!! During his visit in March, EAM @DrSJaishankar was apprised of shortages of medicines faced by @1990SuwaSeriya. High Commissioner handed over 3.3 tons of medical supplies today to help the vital lifeline run smoothly."

This assistance is part of a total of SLR 370 million in medical aid that India has supplied to Sri Lanka in the previous two months, the High Commission noted.

The Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service was established in 2016 with USD 7.6 million in funding from India. India also contributed free ambulances to the service, which currently operates in all of Sri Lanka's provinces and has been critical in the country's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

During his March visit, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had lauded the work and achievements of the Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service, which has played a critical role in saving lives, particularly during the COVID-19 period.