EU announces 22 million euro grant to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News1st): The European Union (EU) on Thursday announced a 22 million euro grant to Sri Lanka to support its efforts in combating COVID - 19. The EU said two million euros would be provided to procure medical supplies, 16.5 million euros to support the agriculture industry, and 3.5 million euros to support the tourism industry. A portion of the grant will be provided immediately and the rest will be delivered in due course, a statement released by the EU said. The grant had been discussed during a meeting between envoys of EU countries and the Presidential Task Force on Essential Services on April 8. According to the EU, a huge chunk of the grant will be provided to rural areas, and to assist small businesses and workers in the Uva and Central Provinces. The member states of the regional body have pooled 15.6 billion euros to financially support countries battling COVID - 19.