December 09, Colombo (LNW): India has dispatched a further contingent of naval vessels to bolster relief operations in Sri Lanka, which continues to grapple with the aftermath of the destructive cyclone.
The latest phase of the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu is focused on expanding search-and-rescue efforts and ensuring rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
The newest deployment comprises the amphibious ship INS Gharial along with three Landing Craft Utility vessels — LCU 54, LCU 51, and LCU 57. Collectively, they are transporting close to a thousand tonnes of essential supplies, including food stocks, medical items, temporary shelter materials, and other urgently needed provisions.
Indian reports indicate that the LCUs have already arrived in Colombo, where relief cargo was formally handed over to Sri Lankan officials.
INS Gharial, carrying additional equipment and personnel, is due to call at Trincomalee later today as part of a continued push to reach coastal districts still struggling to regain basic services.
These ships follow an earlier group — INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, and INS Sukanya — which delivered immediate assistance in the cyclone’s immediate aftermath, including helicopter sorties to locate stranded individuals and survey damage along the shoreline.
According to India’s Defence Ministry, the expanded mission underscores the longstanding partnership between the two neighbours and reflects New Delhi’s determination to respond swiftly when regional states face humanitarian emergencies. The ministry noted that the Indian Navy remains on standby to provide further support should Sri Lanka request it.
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