Op Sagar Bandhu: Relief assistance facilitated by Indian High Commission reaches Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee
On November 30, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka moved a shipment of essential supplies—dry rations, clothing, fuel and other relief items—to the Chief Secretary of the Eastern Province and the Trincomalee District Administration. The delivery was part of the wider assistance program launched in response to Cyclone Ditwah’s devastating impact on the island.
The hand‑over was carried out under Operation Sagar Bandhu. In a post on X, the High Commission said:
"Operation Sagar Bandhu reaches Trincomalee. A batch of relief assistance facilitated by Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka comprising essential supplies, dry rations, clothes and fuel was handed over at Lanka IOC Trincomalee to the Chief Secretary, Eastern Province and Trincomalee District Administration."
The same tweet added:
"These include contributions from the Indian community in Colombo, which stands strong in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, offering timely relief as Eastern Province continues to deal with Cyclone Ditwah."
After Cyclone Ditwah triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, India activated Operation Sagar Bandhu to support local recovery efforts. Earlier that day, the Indian Air Force conducted search‑and‑rescue missions near Kotmale, rescuing 24 stranded individuals—including citizens from Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, the UK and South Africa. The IAF’s X‑post read:
"Operation Sagar Bandhu saves lives and extends critical care. IAF helicopters conducted Search and Rescue operations today near Kotmale area in Sri Lanka, saving 24 stranded persons including those from Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, UK and South Africa. Further 3 critical casualties were airlifted to Colombo. Earlier, the helicopters also airlifted Sri Lankan Army personnel to landslide affected regions."
The Ministry of Defence also shared details of the complex rescue operation in a restricted zone. According to the statement:
"IAF helicopters undertook a hybrid rescue mission to extricate stranded passengers from a restricted zone. A Garud commando was winched down to guide the group through cross‑country route to a pre‑briefed helipad at Kotmale, from where 24 passengers — including Indians, foreign nationals and Sri Lankans — were evacuated to Colombo."
An additional X‑post added:
"In a parallel effort, three critical casualties were airlifted to Colombo for immediate medical attention. Earlier, five teams of Sri Lankan Army personnel (40 troops) were airlifted from Diyathalawa Army Camp to the landslide‑affected Kotmale region to support relief operations."
The cyclone has left the Eastern Province under relentless rain, flash floods and landslides. According to the Disaster Management Centre, as of the latest report, 153 people have died and at least 191 remain missing, with rescue operations still underway to comb the affected areas.
int/akl/vd
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