Former MP Wimal Weerawansa has highlighted the significance of Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s sudden visit to Sri Lanka, while raising concerns over the distribution of disaster relief by the government.

In a post published on X on Friday, Weerawansa said the visit was particularly important at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding. He noted that the USD 450 million in Indian assistance provided for reconstruction efforts was a major source of support for the country during the crisis.

However, Weerawansa said it would have been preferable if Jaishankar had remained in Sri Lanka for a longer period to closely observe relief operations for displaced communities and to offer guidance on how Indian aid should be distributed effectively.

He further claimed that there are serious objections from civil society organisations and the general public regarding the manner in which the President and the government are distributing relief to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.