New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) India is watching the developments in crisis-stricken Sri Lanka closely and stands by people of the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday."India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour and our two countries share deep civilisational bonds. We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement. In pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in our Neighbourhood First policy, India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over $3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation there, he added."We continue to follow closely the recent developments in Sri Lanka. India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework," Bagchi said.Sri Lanka was wracked by anti-government protests on Saturday and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's private residence in the heart of Colombo was set afire after his security attacked protesters.The protesters, who marched to Colombo on Saturday morning demanding resignation of President Gotobaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, earlier stormed the President's official residence, braving police, and later occupied the Prime Minister's official residence, the Temple Trees.
--IANS miz/vd
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