According to MEA, the visit highlights India's Neighbourhood First Policy and comes amid ongoing relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to assist Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Providing an update on the operation, the Indian Army said preparations are underway for the launch of a Bailey bridge to restore road connectivity in the affected region.
As part of its humanitarian support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu following Cyclone Ditwah, India has been delivering life-saving assistance, essential relief supplies, and critical early-recovery capabilities across the island nation, including in areas that were badly impacted and had been rendered inaccessible, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
"Operation Sagar Bandhu stands as a testament to the deep emotional bonds between the peoples – and the trusted partnership between the Governments – of India and Sri Lanka," the MEA said in a statement.
Amid India's relentless relief and rescue efforts under the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu, the field hospital set up by it in Sri Lanka's Mahiyanganaya near Kandy has provided medical care to over 2200 patients affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
As part of India’s continued humanitarian support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter on Tuesday delivered essential relief supplies to Poramadulla in Kandy district and airlifted personnel from Nuwara Eliya district to support ongoing response operations.
In a statement issued here, the Naval spokesperson said that the Indian Navy has undertaken comprehensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi conveyed that the people of India stand in firm solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need.
The IMD has issued alerts for vulnerable stretches.
Speaking on social media platform X, he conveyed his “heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones” and prayed for the “safety, comfort, and swift recovery of all affected families.”
