Sri Lanka Honours Indian Navy for Cyclone Ditwah Relief Operations

Sri Lanka has formally acknowledged India’s swift and large-scale humanitarian assistance following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, one of the deadliest climate disasters to hit the island nation in recent years. The recognition highlights strong regional cooperation and India’s role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean region.

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Sri Lanka Honours Indian Navy for Cyclone Ditwah Relief Operations

Recognition by Sri Lanka Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy honoured eight foreign naval vessels, including two Indian Navy ships, for their immediate response after Cyclone Ditwah struck in late November.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya personally conveyed gratitude to diplomatic representatives of the assisting countries. The cyclone caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse, overwhelming national disaster-response mechanisms.

Role of Indian Naval Assets

Indian Navy ships INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri were among the first foreign vessels to assist Sri Lanka.

Both ships were already present in Sri Lankan waters for the International Fleet Review 2025, organised to mark the Sri Lanka Navy’s 75th anniversary. After the cyclone made landfall on November 27, the vessels were immediately redeployed for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

Operation Sagar Bandhu and Scale of Relief

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on the same day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall. The mission delivered:

• Over 1,100 tonnes of relief material
• Food rations, tents, tarpaulins, clothing, hygiene kits
• Water purification equipment
• 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment
• Additional 60 tonnes of logistics support material

Helicopters operating from INS Vikrant played a crucial role in aerial rescue operations and supply drops to flood-affected areas.

Wider Assistance and Diplomatic Support

The Indian Air Force supported relief efforts using Mi-17 helicopters for more than two weeks, assisting evacuation and relief distribution.

As per official figures released on January 1, Cyclone Ditwah resulted in:

• 644 deaths
• 175 missing persons

On December 23, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced a USD 450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka, including concessional credit lines and grants, reaffirming India’s long-term commitment to recovery and rebuilding.

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched after Cyclone Ditwah
• INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri led Indian naval relief efforts
• Over 1,100 tonnes of relief material supplied
• HADR is a core role of modern navies
• India announced a USD 450 million reconstruction package
• India and Sri Lanka cooperate regularly on disaster response

Question & Answer

Q1. What was the name of India’s humanitarian mission launched for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah?
(a) Operation Samudra Setu
(b) Operation Maitri
(c) Operation Sagar Bandhu
(d) Operation Rahat
Answer: Operation Sagar Bandhu

Q2. Which Indian Navy ships played a key role in relief operations after Cyclone Ditwah?
(a) INS Arihant and INS Chakra
(b) INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri
(c) INS Kolkata and INS Chennai
(d) INS Shivalik and INS Talwar
Answer: INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri

Q3. INS Vikrant is best described as which type of naval asset?
(a) Destroyer
(b) Submarine
(c) Aircraft carrier
(d) Amphibious ship
Answer: Aircraft carrier

Q4. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) is primarily associated with which domain?
(a) Space operations
(b) Cyber security
(c) Naval operations
(d) Nuclear deterrence
Answer: Naval operations

Q5. How much reconstruction assistance did India announce for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah?
(a) USD 150 million
(b) USD 250 million
(c) USD 350 million
(d) USD 450 million
Answer: USD 450 million

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