PM Modi calls Sri Lankan President to offer continued support with cyclone relief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (December 1, 2025), and assured India’s continued support under Operation Sagar Bandhu that was launched to help the island nation as it continues to deal with the devastation caused by cyclone Ditwah.

“Spoke with President Dissanayake and conveyed heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of lives and the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. As a close and trusted friend, India stands firmly beside Sri Lanka and its people in this difficult hour. India will continue to extend all necessary support under the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu for relief and rescue efforts and will stand with Sri Lanka in the days ahead as it undertakes rehabilitation and recovery,” Prime Minister Modi said in a message on X. President Dissanayake conveyed the appreciation of the people of Sri Lanka for India’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

After Sri Lanka sought international help to support rescue efforts, India sent immediate assistance from INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri and MI-17 helicopters to assist people with relief items and rescue operations. So far under Operation Sagar Bandhu, nationals of Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh have been rescued, said a government statement.

NDRF teams that were dispatched on November 29 have been continuing with “search and rescue” operations in various heavily affected regions of Sri Lanka. India has so far handed over 53 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka, an official press release has said.