New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): India has expanded its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka following the recent cyclone, deploying four additional naval ships to deliver essential relief materials as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Navy said on Monday.
INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51, and LCU 57 have been tasked with transporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) supplies to affected regions across Sri Lanka. LCU 54, LCU 51, and LCU 57 reached Colombo on the morning of December 7, handing over critical supplies to local authorities, while INS Gharial is expected to arrive in Trincomalee on December 8 to continue relief operations.
This deployment follows earlier missions by INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, and INS Sukanya, which carried out relief deliveries and helicopter-borne search and rescue operations. With 1,000 tonnes of supplies onboard, the mission underscores strong people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka and reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to providing timely humanitarian support in the Indian Ocean Region. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Mahasagar’ vision, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and rapid crisis assistance.
Sri Lanka continues to recover from the cyclone’s impact, and India has stepped up sustained maritime support. Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa met Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and expressed gratitude for India’s relief and rescue efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The High Commissioner reaffirmed India’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s rebuilding and recovery.
Indian and Sri Lankan Army engineers have begun joint efforts to restore vital connectivity, including removing a damaged bridge on the Paranthan-Karachchi-Mullaitivu (A35) road in Kilinochchi. The High Commission highlighted the collaboration, noting it as a key step toward restoring infrastructure for affected communities.
Earlier, India sent around 1,000 tonnes of essential food items and clothing contributed by the people of Tamil Nadu. Of these, about 300 tonnes reached Colombo aboard three Indian naval ships on Sunday morning. High Commissioner Santosh Jha handed over the relief materials to Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development.
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