Sri Lanka has requested an additional $ 1 billion loan from India to import essential food items, Reuters reports.

According to a Reuters report, the Indian authorities have indicated that they will comply with Sri Lanka’s request for a new loan for the import of essential commodities such as rice, wheat flour, cereals, sugar and pharmaceuticals.

 This will be in addition to the $ 1 billion loan already pledged by India.

Finance Minister Basil Rajapakse also signed a $ 1 billion loan agreement in the Indian capital, New Delhi, this month.

 In addition, India provided $ 500 million and $ 400 million in exchange rates for fuel purchases to Sri Lanka earlier this year.