Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India continues its steadfast support to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah,
Summary of Operation Sagar Bandhu until Dec 6, 2025:
Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on Nov 28, India has provided about 58 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 including generators, inflatable rescue boats, Out Board Motors, excavators etc. have also been brought to Sri Lanka. Further, 185 tonnes of Baily Bridge units were airlifted to restore critical connectivity along with 44 engineers. Two columns of National Disaster Response Force comprising 80 experts and K9 units with specially trained dogs assisted with immediate rescue and relief efforts in Sri Lanka. A fully fledged field hospital with 78 medical personnel was deployed, which is now providing life-saving care, in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, conducting surgeries, trauma care etc, catering to more than 850 patients so far. Medical centres have also been set up from the BHISHM Arogya Maitri cubes in the badly hit Ja-Ela region and in Negombo. INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya, provided immediate rescue and relief assistance to Sri Lanka. Apart from the two Chetak helicopters deployed from INS Vikrant, two heavy lift, MI 17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force are actively involved in evacuations and airlifting relief material. In addition, about 2500 stranded Indians were evacuated from Sri Lanka, including more than 400 on IAF aircrafts.
Operation Sagar Bandhu on Dec 6, 2025:
On Dec 6, yet another C-17, the ninth Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to arrive in Colombo under Operation Sagar Bandhu, brought 65 tonnes of load including 55 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units (corresponding to a bridge length of 110 ft), an excavator and other earth moving equipment along with 13 Indian Army Engineers. In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, the Indian Engineer Corps carried out surveys and reconnaissance at multiple sites where bridges have been washed away or damaged, for the construction of Bailey Bridges. Two sites have been identified and work is starting for construction of a Bailey bridges at one of sites in Killinochi.
Yesterday (06), Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, visited and reviewed the Indian Army Field Hospital at working Mahiyanganaya near Kandy. He conveyed his appreciation to the Government of India for its swift response in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and for ensuring that critical medical care reaches those in need. The Field Hospital was airlifted to Sri Lanka by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft along with a 78-member Indian medical team. As of yesterday (06), the facility has treated a total of 871 patients, carried out 74 minor procedures, and successfully conducted four surgeries.
In a significant public–private contribution to recovery and rehabilitation, Lanka Ashok Leyland donated seven essential utility vehicles valued at over LKR 65 million, in the presence of the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry & Entrepreneurship Development, and Hon. Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Defence of Sri Lanka. Selected in consultation with Sri Lankan authorities to meet urgent operational needs, the initiative was further strengthened by a LKR 2.5 million contribution from employees of Lanka Ashok Leyland.
High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha met Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, to review the ongoing Indian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu and to discuss avenues of cooperation during the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase. He also met Sri Lankan corporate leaders associated with the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ to deliberate on the way forward for recovery, briefing them on India’s comprehensive response and continued commitment to stand by Sri Lanka during this critical phase.
Meanwhile, Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter continue life-saving missions. In a sortie yesterday (06), 4 tonnes of relief load was airlifted, 12 survivors were evacuated, and two patients were transported for advanced medical care.
At the request of Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre (DMC), a virtual meeting was organised between DMC and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s National Remote Sensing Centre. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy & Maj. General (Retd.) Kotuwegoda, DG, DMC participated. Since the onset of the disaster in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, ISRO has been providing maps to assist DMC in its efforts and will continue to provide full support. Also a virtual meetings was organised between Odisha State Disaster Management Authorities of Odissa and Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, regarding early warning systems and community led disaster response architecture.
Separately, Lanka Ashok Leyland, donated seven essential vehicles valued at 65 million LKR to strengthen relief recovery and rehabilitation efforts, in consultation with DMC. Staff from the company donated 2.5 million LKR. Indian Diaspora organisations in Sri Lanka have also donated aid to the tune of approximately 2 million LKR and distributed it to the needy.
India’s multidimensional assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu reflects its unwavering commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with Sri Lanka in relief, recovery, and long-term rehabilitation efforts.
