Indian Navy sends four more ships to aid cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

The North News

New Delhi, December 8

India has deployed four additional naval ships to support ongoing humanitarian and relief operations in Sri Lanka after the island nation was hit by a severe cyclone, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday. The deployment — part of Operation Sagar Bandhu — includes INS Gharial and three Landing Craft Utility vessels, LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57. The ships are carrying humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to affected coastal regions.

The three LCUs reached Colombo on the morning of 7 December, where they handed over essential relief materials to Sri Lankan authorities. INS Gharial is expected to dock at Trincomalee on December 8 to continue the mission. Earlier, INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya had provided relief assistance, including helicopter-borne search-and-rescue support.

Officials said the deployment, which carries nearly 1,000 tonnes of relief supplies, highlights the close ties between India and Sri Lanka and reflects India’s commitment to assisting its neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region during crises.