India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to provide comprehensive humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread devastation and disrupted critical infrastructure across the island nation.
In line with India’s Neighbourhood First policy, an Engineer Task Force (ETF) of the Indian Army – comprising 48 specialised personnel – has been airlifted to Sri Lanka to help restore essential lines of communication. The team includes bridging experts, surveyors, watermanship specialists and operators trained in handling heavy earth-moving machinery, drones and unmanned systems, ensuring rapid and precise engineering support.
According to an official statement, the ETF has brought four sets of modular Bailey bridges—transported by C-17 aircraft—to help repair damaged road networks and reconnect isolated regions. The contingent is also equipped with pneumatic boats, outboard motors, HESCO bags, heavy-payload drones and remotely controlled boats to support rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts.
Work has already begun at the critically damaged Kilinochchi Bridge site, where a Bailey bridge will be launched to restore connectivity. The task force is working in close coordination with the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lankan Road Development Authority, following reconnaissance of multiple sites requiring urgent restoration.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mahishini Colonne, and reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to continued support for Sri Lanka’s early recovery and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah.”
“As part of the on-going medical assistance being provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Foreign Secretary also handed over essential life-saving medicines, the full consignment of which will be airlifted by an Indian Air Force to Colombo,” he added.
Earlier, an Indian Army contingent deployed in Sri Lanka had operationalised a fully functional field hospital in one of the worst flood-hit regions, providing critical medical care to thousands of affected citizens.
(With agency inputs)
