India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu continues to stand by Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.Combining rescue, essential relief distribution,on-ground medical assistance and restoration of essential services, India’s efforts are reaching the most affected communities, bringingrelief to the impacted regions.
Summary of Operation Sagar Bandhu until Dec 9, 2025:
Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on Nov 28, India has provided about 1058 tonnes relief material including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential cloths, water purification kits and about 4.5 tonnes medicines and surgical equipment. Another 60 tonnes of equipment were also been brought to Sri Lanka. On 28th Nov, (Indian Naval Ship) INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri provided immediate rescue and relief assistance to Sri Lanka. INS Sukanya followed on 1 Dec, 2025 and brought in a further urgent relief material. On 29 Nov, 2025, two columns of National Disaster Response Force comprising 80 experts and K9 units with specially trained dogs arrived from India and assisted with immediate rescue and relief efforts. After completing search and rescue efforts, they returned to India on Dec 5, 2025. A full-fledged para field hospital with 78 medical personnel was airlifted to Sri Lanka on Dec 2, 2025, which is now providing life-saving care, in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, conducting surgeries, trauma care etc, catering to about 1200 patients daily. Medical centres have also been set up from the BHISHM Arogya Maitri cubes in various badly hit areas. 248 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units have been airlifted to restore critical connectivity along with 44 engineers. First of these bridges is being constructed on A35 in Kilinochhi. Apart from the two Chetak helicopters deployed from INS Vikrant, two heavy lift, MI 17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force were deployed under the coordination of Sri Lankan authorities for rescue and relief work. These 2 MI 17s evacuated 264 survivors and airlifted about 50 tonnes of relief material between 29 Nov – 6 Dec and returned to India. Further another MI 17 helicopter has reached Colombo to continue relief efforts. Further, 4 Indian Naval Ships, LCU 54, LCU 57, LCU 51 and INS Gharial brought in relief material from Tamil Nadu weighing about 1000 tonnes, to Colombo and Trincomalee. In addition, about 2500 stranded Indians were evacuated from Sri Lanka, including more than 400 on IAF aircrafts.
Operation Sagar Bandhu on Dec 9, 2025:
As part of India’s continued humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, the Government of Tamil Nadu has sent nearly 1,000 metric tonnes of essential food items and clothing to the island nation. Yesterday(08), the Indian Naval ship INS Gharial, carrying approximately 700 metric tonnes of relief supplies, sent by the Government of Tamil Nadu, arrived in Trincomalee and the consignment was handed over to the Sri Lankan authorities. On 7 Dec, 2025, around 300 metric tonnes of relief material from Tamil Nadu had arrived in Colombo aboard three Indian Naval Ships. The Colombo consignment was formally handed over by the High Commissioner of India, H.E. Santosh Jha, to the Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Hon’ble Wasantha Samarasinghe.
Meanwhile, the two MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force, which were actively engaged in evacuation operations and airlifting relief material alongside Sri Lankan Air Force, since Nov 29, 2025, successfully completed their HADR Mission and returned to India for mandatory maintenance and turnover. Further another new MI-17 helicopter from Indian Air Force arrived in Sri Lanka to continue assistance to Sri Lankan Air Force in their relief efforts.
Yet another C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force airlifted 63 tonnes of Bailey Bridge equipment today (09) to Sri Lanka. This is the fourth consignment of Bailey Bridge equipment, being airlifted to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the cyclone, weighing about 248 tonnes (combined). In parallel, Indian Army Engineers have commenced the construction of a Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi along the A35 Paranthan – Karachchi – Mullaitivu road, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Construction work is currently underway to restore vital connectivity and enable the movement of people and essential supplies.
On the medical assistance front, the field hospital established by India in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy continues to deliver critical healthcare services. So far, it has treated over 2,200 Cyclone-affected patients, conducted 67 minor procedures, and performed 3 major surgeries. India’s medical teams on the ground remain fully committed to providing timely, life-saving care and sustained support to the people of Sri Lanka.
India’s swift and sustained response across multiple sectors under Operation Sagar Bandhu underscores its steadfast commitment to standing with Sri Lanka during times of crisis.
