As Sri Lanka grapples with the catastrophic aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, the island nation has received significant backing from its neighbor. On Monday, Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha to formally convey his appreciation for the extensive support provided by New Delhi under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The meeting highlighted the strong bilateral ties between the two nations during times of crisis. High Commissioner Jha reassured the MP that India remains committed to aiding the people of Sri Lanka as they navigate the difficult path of recovery and rebuilding. This sentiment was publicly echoed by the Indian High Commission on social media platform X, emphasizing a pledge to support the island's reconstruction efforts.
Restoring Vital Connectivity
Beyond diplomatic meetings, action on the ground is in full swing. Indian Army engineers have joined forces with their Sri Lankan counterparts to tackle critical infrastructure damage. A key focus of this joint operation is the restoration of the Paranthan-Karachchi-Mullaitivu (A35) road in Kilinochchi.
Teams from the Indian Army, alongside the Sri Lankan Army and the Road Development Authority, are currently working to remove a damaged bridge that had severed connectivity for affected communities. This engineering feat is a crucial component of Operation Sagar Bandhu, aimed at ensuring relief reaches remote areas.
Humanitarian Aid and Medical Support
The scope of India’s assistance is vast. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of essential supplies, including food and clothing contributed by the people of Tamil Nadu, have been dispatched. On Sunday morning, three Indian Naval Ships docked in Colombo to offload 300 tonnes of these relief materials. High Commissioner Jha personally handed over the consignment to Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade and Food Security.
Furthermore, medical teams are working around the clock. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that an Indian Army Field Hospital established near Kandy has been a lifeline for victims. Since December 5, the facility has treated over 2,200 patients, performing nearly 70 procedures, including surgeries.
The humanitarian intervention comes at a desperate time. According to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre, the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has tragically risen to 627, with hundreds still missing due to historic flooding and landslides.
Source: With Agency Inputs
