India has stepped up humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka after the recent cyclone, dispatching four additional naval vessels under Operation Sagar Bandhu to deliver relief supplies.
The boats assigned to the mission are INS Gharial and Landing Craft Units LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57. LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57 arrived in Colombo on the morning of December 7 and handed over critical aid to local authorities. INS Gharial was scheduled to reach Trincomalee on December 8 to continue relief operations.
These deployments follow earlier sorties by INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya, which conducted relief deliveries and helicopter-borne search-and-rescue missions. Together, the tasking carries roughly 1,000 tonnes of relief material, underscoring close people-to-people ties and the Indian Navy’s commitment to timely support for Indian Ocean neighbours.
Officials said the effort is in line with the Government of India’s Mahasagar vision to strengthen regional cooperation and enable rapid assistance during emergencies as Sri Lanka recovers from storm damage.
Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa met India’s High Commissioner Santosh Jha to thank India for the ongoing relief and rescue assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The High Commissioner reiterated India’s support for Sri Lanka’s recovery. The Indian High Commission in Colombo posted about the exchange on social media.
Indian Army engineers have begun working alongside Sri Lanka Army engineers to restore connectivity for affected communities. Joint teams are clearing debris and removing a damaged bridge on the Paranthan–Karachchi–Mullaitivu (A35) road in Kilinochchi to reopen a vital route.
Around 1,000 tonnes of essential food and clothing donated by the people of Tamil Nadu were sent to cyclone-hit areas under the operation. Approximately 300 tonnes arrived in Colombo aboard three Indian naval ships on Sunday morning. High Commissioner Santosh Jha handed over those relief consignments to Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development.
The continued shipments and engineering assistance aim to provide immediate relief to affected populations while supporting short-term recovery and restoration of essential links.
