External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar landed in Colombo on Monday to hold talks with Sri Lanka’s top leadership as the island nation begins reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.
“Landed in Colombo this evening. Thank Deputy Tourism Mininister Ruwan Ranasinghe for the warm reception. Look forward to my meetings with Sri Lankan leadership tomorrow,” the EAM said on X.
In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “The visit underscores India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.”
The cyclone that hit the island nation in late November killed over 600 people and damaged crops, tea estates and critical transport infrastructures including roads and bridges.
India had launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist Sri Lanka in dealing with the crisis, delivering relief supplies such as medicines and dry rations to several affected areas.
On December 14, an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft transported 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations to Sri Lanka and facilitated the return of an Indian Army field hospital team that had completed its humanitarian mission near Kandy.
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited flood-affected areas in Colombo and Wattala earlier this month, where relief kits were distributed to families and children in coordination with local organisations, according to the Indian High Commission.
The High Commission said efforts to restore damaged infrastructure were under way, including preparations for installing a Bailey bridge at the cleared Kilinochchi bridge site to restore road connectivity.
Earlier this month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing condolences over the loss of lives and pledging continued support. The Sri Lankan leader thanked India for what he described as swift and effective assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.
(with agency input)
