Indian envoy meets SL minister, promises help to rebuild nation

Indian envoy on Saturday met Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath and discussed cooperation in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in the aftermath of cyclone Ditwah that wreaked havoc in the Island nation.

At least 618 people have died, and 209 are missing as of Saturday evening 8 pm, due to the catastrophic floods and landslides caused by extreme weather conditions since November 16, according to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

India was the first country to respond to Sri Lanka's international appeal for assistance under its Operation Sagar Bandhu. High Commissioner Santosh Jha met Vijitha Herath and discussed the "ongoing Indian assistance to Sri Lanka under #OperationSagarBandhu" High Commission of India in Colombo posted on social media on Friday. He also discussed "avenues of cooperation during the reconstruction and rehabilitation phases in the aftermath of #CycloneDitwah," it added.

Jha also briefed Sri Lankan corporate leaders about New Delhi's "response and continued commitment" to the cyclone-hit island nation in its resurgence from the disaster that has claimed over 600 lives so far.

Till Saturday noon, as many as 611 people had died because of the disaster, which also left several districts isolated and acutely strained the country’s disaster-response capacity.

During his meeting with the corporate leaders, Jha discussed the “way ahead for rehabilitation and recovery”, the Indian High Commission said in an “X” post.

He also briefed them on the elements of “India’s response and continued commitment to stand by Sri Lanka in its resurgence from this crisis,” it added.

India was the first country to respond to Sri Lanka’s international appeal for assistance under its Operation Sagar Bandhu.

Its humanitarian assistance has continued across land and air, focusing on both emergency response and sustained medical care, the Indian mission here said in a press release.

Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28, India has provided more than 58 tonnes of relief material including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, water purification kits and around 4.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical equipment.

Another 50 tonnes of equipment including generators, inflatable rescue boats, and Outboard Motors have been provided, and 130 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units have been airlifted along with 31 engineers to restore critical connectivity.

The Indian Engineer Corps is conducting surveys and reconnaissance for the construction of Bailey Bridges on vital road routes to restore connectivity in flood-hit areas.

On Saturday, a ship laden with 950 tonnes of essential goods including 300 MT rice was dispatched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.

It is carrying clothes and food to be distributed among those affected by the cyclone following a request made by the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai, according to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.

“India was the first country to respond. India sent helicopters and rescue teams. They sent food and medicine very quickly,” Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.