India today handed over the first lot of the third consignment of 2600 MT of Galvanised Corrugated (GC) sheets valued at approximately 2.65 million USD to the Sri Lankan government . The GC sheets are meant to construct shelters for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) , who are being resettled in war ravaged northern Sri Lanka.At a ceremony held at Parliament Road in Colombo, the High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, handed over the consignment of Galvanised Corrugated (GC) roofing sheets to Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka.The Government of India had earlier supplied two similar consignments of 2600 MT each of GC sheets to Government of Sri Lanka in August 2009 and February 2010. These sheets have all been distributed to re-settling IDPs in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi, benefiting about 37,645 families. The total value of the three consignments supplied so far is approximately 8 million USD.Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Kantha reiterated Government of India's deep commitment to contributing to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of northern Sri Lanka following the end of armed conflict in May 2009.He recalled that, during the visit of the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India in June 2010, New Delhi had also announced a major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for IDPs in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He said that the modalities regarding the implementation of this commitment are being worked out by both the sides. High Commissioner Kantha also underlined India's commitment to infrastructure development in northern Sri Lanka and added that the Government of India had already announced a line of credit of 800 million USD for the reconstruction of railway infrastructure in northern Sri Lanka. He noted that the visit of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development to India next week would provide an opportunity to exchange views on cooperation between two countries in different areas.The present supply of roofing sheets is part of Government of India's overall grant assistance package of approximately 107 million USD to Sri Lanka announced by the Prime Minister of India in 2009.This assistance has been directed at supply of relief material in the form of medicines, food and non-food items, establishment of a field hospital at Pulmoddai and later at Menik Farms in Vavuniya, deployment of seven demining teams and supplies of 400,000 bags of cement. Various projects in the education, health, and agricultural sectors are also being conceived. Government of India will also assist with the construction of a Cultural Centre and renovation of the Duraippah Stadium in Jaffna and with the establishment of Vocational Training Centres. In addition, India is also committed to assist in the rehabilitation of the ports and aviation sector in Sri Lanka, including the Kankesanthurai Port and Palaly airfield.