India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Sri Lanka for its pledge to contribute $5 million towards SAARC (the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) COVID-19 emergency fund.
“Sincerely thank President of Sri Lanka [Gotabaya Rajapaksa] for contributing $ 5 million to the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund,” tweeted Modi this morning. “Our cooperation will go a long way in fighting this disease effectively.”
Sri Lanka’s contribution to the fund comes as the number of COVID-19 infections on the island continues to rise. A total of 91 people are reported to have tested positive for the infection, with a further 227 under observation.
Thousands of people have been detained by the Sri Lankan military and sent to quarantine centres, whilst hundreds have been arrested for breaking a curfew set over the weekend.