High Commission of India
Colombo
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Sagar Bandhu Continues

India continues to deepen its humanitarian support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, with medical, rescue, and relief deployments expanding across the island as communities grapple with the severe impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

2.       Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, today (01) and expressed his condolences on the loss of lives and devastation in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. Indian Prime Minister assured India’s continued support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu in line with the Vision MAHASAGAR and as ‘First Responder’.

3.       Another Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J aircraft arrived in Colombo yesterday (30), bringing approx. 10 tonnes of high-priority medical and disaster-response supplies, including BHISHM Modular Trauma Cube sand other medical supplies requested by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health. These compact and highly durable, mobile medical units enable rapid emergency care in disaster-hit areas.

4.       The aircraft also carried an IAF Medical Team comprising trauma specialists, emergency physicians, and paramedics for onsite training and support of the local Sri Lankan medical teams. Following the training for Sri Lankan Air Force medical officers in Katunayake, the BHISHM units are now set for deployment in affected areas to provide urgent medical relief. Another 12 tonnes of essential relief assistance arrived at Trincomalee today (01) onboard INS Sukanya. These were handed over to Sri Lankan authorities for immediate distribution.  

5.       Meanwhile, NDRF and IAF teams continue life-saving evacuations. In coordinated operations with Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, NDRF rescued 43 stranded individuals today (01) from inaccessible areas, including elderly persons, pregnant women, children, infants, vulnerable families as well as pets. Further rescue operations are ongoing. In Badulla, the NDRF team recovered one deceased person in a complex operation where the remains were found under more than 5 feet deep debris. Search operations are continuing at this site. Two MI 17 helicopters of IAF rescued 96 stranded persons today (01) from flood-hit areas, including children and 3 critically wounded survivors. They also air lifted more than 5.5 tonnes of rations and medical equipment to flood-hit areas ensuring that urgent relief items reach the needy, in time.

6.       India stands firmly with the people of Sri Lanka, ensuring rapid, sustained, and coordinated assistance across affected districts under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

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Colombo

01 December 2025