As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, acting as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, joined Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath for the joint virtual inauguration of a Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province.
During his remarks, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted India’s immediate response to Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka earlier this month. “The Letter from Prime Minister Modi that I handed over builds on our First Responder role and commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka,” he said. The package includes USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and USD 100 million in grants to support disaster recovery.
India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched on the very day the cyclone made landfall, deploying aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, ship INS Udayagiri, Mi-17 helicopters, and an 80-member National Disaster Response Force contingent. The Indian Army also set up a field hospital near Kandy, providing emergency care to over 8,000 people, and airlifted two modular BHISHM emergency care units. In total, India delivered more than 1,100 tons of relief materials, including rations, tents, water purification kits, medicines, and medical equipment.
Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the immediate priority of restoring connectivity, noting that a Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi was erected by Indian Army engineers, with another under construction in Chilaw. “Given the scale of damage, restoring road, railway, and bridge connectivity is critical, alongside support for housing, health, education, and agriculture,” he said.
He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s broader economic recovery, including boosting tourism and encouraging increased Indian investment. “We fully recognize that this is a very difficult period for Sri Lanka,” Dr. Jaishankar said. “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka, and I am sure the country will demonstrate its resilience in recovering from this adversity.”
The inauguration underscores the continued cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in disaster response and rebuilding efforts, reflecting India’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies.
RS
