The Government of India received a request from the Government of Sri Lanka in the afternoon of Friday, May 26 to provide assistance following major flooding and landslides in various parts of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately directed provision of all necessary assistance. He also expressed condolences at the loss of lives and property and said that India stands with her Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in their hour of need.
Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s directions, INS Kirch was diverted from her deployment and tasked to reach Colombo to provide immediate assistance. The ship, with around 125 personnel on board, arrived at the Colombo Port in last morning and unloaded relief supplies,
inflatable Gemini boats with diving teams, and also a mobile medical team with supplies.
High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Taranjit Sandhu presented the supplies to Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the Colombo Port. The Indian rescue personnel are now being deployed to the affected areas in coordination with the Sri Lanka Navy and other authorities.
A second ship, INS Shardul, has left Kochi and is due to arrive at the Colombo Port by mid-day today. The ship is carrying additional relief material requested by the Sri Lankan authorities, apart from more inflatable boats.
A third ship, INS Jalashwa, has also set sail from Visakhapatnam to join the relief efforts, and is expected to reach Colombo within two days. INS Jalsahwa is an even larger LPD (landing platform /dock) class of ship, which can carry large amounts of relief material.
The High Commission of India is in close touch with the Sri Lankan authorities to coordinate any additional assistance that may be needed.