External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will hold talks with Sri Lanka's top leadership on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special envoy. The
talks come as the island nation begins reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. "The visit underscores India's Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in New Delhi. Jaishankar landed in Colombo on Monday. "Landed in Colombo this evening. Thank Deputy @TourismMin Ruwan Ranasinghe for the warm reception. Look forward to my meetings with Sri Lankan leadership tomorrow," the external affairs minister said on 'X'.
India's Operation Sagar Bandhu Aids Sri Lanka
Cyclone Ditwah that hit the island nation in late November killed over 640 people and damaged crops, tea estates and critical transport infrastructures, including roads and bridges. India had launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to help Sri Lanka deal with the crisis.
Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28, India has provided over 1,134 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, clothing, water purification systems, and 14.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical equipment.
Several Indian naval ships, including INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, INS Sukanya and INS Gharial, delivered large volumes of relief materials to Colombo and Trincomalee.
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force conducted immediate search and rescue operations, while an 85-member Indian Army Field Hospital set up in Mahiyanganaya provided life-saving medical care to more than 7,000 patients. Indian Air Force and Navy helicopters evacuated survivors, transported troops, and delivered relief supplies-reflecting India’s steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka during a time of crisis.
Cyclone Ditwah Caused $4 Billion Damage in Sri Lanka
The direct physical damage to buildings, agriculture and critical infrastructure caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November, is estimated at USD 4.1 billion, according to a World Bank report released on Monday. The damage, detailed in the World Bank’s Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report, is equivalent to about four per cent of Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product.
Describing Ditwah as "among the most intense and destructive" cyclones in Sri Lanka's recent history, the report said the storm severely affected nearly two million people and about 500,000 families across all 25 districts, disrupting livelihoods, essential services and the broader economy.
"The estimated USD 4.1 billion in direct damage represents a significant shock to affected regions. The Central province was the hardest hit, with damages in Kandy district estimated at USD 689 million, primarily caused by flooding and to a lesser extent by landslides,” it said.
(With PTI Inputs)
