Colombo [Sri Lanka], December 13 (ANI): Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha visited areas hit by Cyclone Ditwah on Friday and was briefed by local authorities on rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. He paid respects to the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters and informed them about India’s support under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The High Commission posted on X that Operation Sagar Bandhu is moving from relief to rehabilitation and reconstruction. During his visit to Central Province on December 12, the High Commissioner visited Nelummala village, Udattawa, one of the worst-affected areas where 31 people died. He offered condolences and received briefings on ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation work.
HC Santosh Jha also met the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters, apprising them of India’s assistance to rescue and relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu and seeking their blessings for continued support in rehabilitation and recovery across the island.
The High Commission noted that Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) contributed LKR 100 million toward rebuilding as Sri Lanka restores normalcy after the cyclone. India has continued wide-ranging humanitarian interactions and rescue operations in response to the devastation.
Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, visited the Chilaw Bridge site on Friday and commended the difficult work being carried out in challenging weather by Indian Army engineers alongside the Sri Lankan Road Development Authority. An Indian Army Engineer Task Force is coordinating with Sri Lankan Army engineers to expedite restoration at the damaged Kilinochchi bridge site in Jaffna.
A 48-person Engineer Task Force from the Indian Army was airlifted on a war footing to provide critical engineering support, focusing on restoring lines of communication by repairing and reconstructing damaged roads and bridges. The team includes specialized bridging experts, surveyors, watermanship specialists and personnel skilled in heavy earth-moving equipment, drones and unmanned systems to deliver precise engineering aid.
The task force has four Bailey bridge sets airlifted by IAF C-17 aircraft for restoring connectivity, and it is equipped with pneumatic boats, outboard motors, HESCO bags and new-generation gear including heavy-payload drones and remotely controlled boats.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Army has also provided extensive medical assistance in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah, treating more than 5,000 patients. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mahishini Colonne and handed over part of a consignment of essential life-saving medicines, reiterating India’s commitment to aid recovery and reconstruction.
In keeping with India’s Neighbourhood First policy, Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched to provide humanitarian assistance to Sri Lankans affected by Cyclone Ditwah. (ANI)
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