New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Sri Lankan President Anura K Dissanayake, expressed condolences over the loss of life and devastation in Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditvaha and assured him of India’s continued support to the Indian Ocean neighbor under the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu, which has carried out rescue and relief measures for distressed persons. The Prime Minister assured that India will continue, in line with its Vision Ocean and its established position as a ‘first responder’. An Indian readout said all necessary assistance would be provided in the coming days as Sri Lanka undertakes rehabilitation efforts, restarts public services and works towards restoring livelihoods in the affected areas.

In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, the Indian government immediately airlifted 9. 5 tonnes of emergency rations from two Indian Navy ships to Colombo and deployed three Indian Air Force aircraft to airlift another 31. 5 tonnes of relief material.

Chetak helicopters of INS Vikrant and Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force have carried out massive rescue operations, airlifting stranded people including pregnant women, infants and seriously injured people, the government said. More than 150 people have been rescued and provided assistance in these joint operations in India, Germany, Slovenia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are ongoing.

” The Prime Minister told the Sri Lankan President that the people of India stand firmly with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need.