Third Indian ship arrives to assist in flood relief efforts

A third Indian naval ship, INS Jalashwa, arrived at the Colombo Port on 30 May from Vishakapatnam as part of India›s ongoing assistance for flood relief in Sri Lanka. 

This is the largest of the three Indian ships sent to Sri Lanka. It has specialised equipment, including a landing platform and dock, disembarkation crafts, helicopters and a fully-equipped medical hospital with operation theatres and laboratories. With around 400 personnel on board, the ship is carrying multiple rescue and diving teams, along with inflatable boats and medical supplies. It has also brought additional relief supplies.

High Commissioner of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed over Indian assistance from the ship to Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon and Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne. 

Later in the day, Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, along with the High Commissioner, flagged off the deployment of Indian Navy teams to various locations across Sri Lanka particularly in Akussera and Deniyaya in the Matara District and Divitura in the Galle District. These teams will work with the Sri Lanka Navy in undertaking rescue and relief operations. In his comments, the High Commissioner reiterated India’s unwavering commitment and support to Sri Lanka in the relief operations. He conveyed that as requested by the Sri Lankan Government, India has focused on rescue operations by providing specialised diving and medical teams as well as essential relief items. He also mentioned that specialised disaster management compact teams are ready to assist when required. The Sri Lankan dignitaries thanked the Government of India for its continued support.

Meanwhile, the rescue and medical teams from INS Shardul, which reached Colombo on 28 May, continued to provide assistance in Kalutara and Ratnapura. 

Joint medical camps with Sri Lankan Navy personnel were organised in different places, including Nagoda Hospital in Kalutara. Indian Air Force aircraft will also deliver essential spare parts for Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters this evening.