New Delhi— India has expanded its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka as the island nation struggles to recover from the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. An additional 21 tonnes of relief material and a contingent of National Disaster Response Force personnel were flown to Colombo late Friday under the ongoing mission, Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The Indian Air Force said two aircraft — a C-130 and an IL-76 — departed from Hindan Air Base near Delhi carrying more than 80 NDRF rescuers and around 8 tonnes of specialised equipment. Essential rations and critical supplies were included in the latest consignment to support communities hit hardest by the cyclone.
The Indian Navy has also contributed to the relief work. Warships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, which were in Sri Lanka for the International Fleet Review, delivered 4.5 tonnes of dry rations and 2 tonnes of fresh provisions to local authorities.
The IAF said Operation Sagar Bandhu reflects India’s commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and its readiness to assist Sri Lanka during a time of severe distress. Images released by the Air Force showed relief aircraft landing in Colombo with emergency supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on Friday over the lives lost in Sri Lanka and reaffirmed India’s willingness to expand assistance if required. He said India had dispatched urgent humanitarian aid and vital disaster-response support as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, adding that New Delhi would continue to stand with Sri Lanka as the situation unfolds.
