EAM Jaishankar Meets Sri Lankan President Dissanayake, Commits $450 Million Reconstruction Package Under Operation Sagar Bandhu

Colombo: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of solidarity and support in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

During the meeting, the two leaders also jointly inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in Sri Lanka’s Kilinochchi district of the Northern Province, one of the areas worst affected by the cyclone. The 110-tonne bridge was airlifted from India and installed as part of India’s humanitarian initiative, Operation Sagar Bandhu.

Announcing a major step in India’s continued assistance, EAM Jaishankar committed a reconstruction package worth USD 450 million for Sri Lanka. The package will support the rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity; construction of houses that have been fully or partially damaged; and assistance to the health and education sectors impacted by the cyclone. It will also include support for agriculture to address potential short- and medium-term shortages, as well as measures to strengthen disaster response and preparedness.

“Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today. Conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah,” Jaishankar posted on X.

He added that India’s support builds on its First Responder role under Operation Sagar Bandhu and reflects the deep civilisational ties between the two countries, guided by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka,” the External Affairs Minister said.

EAM Jaishankar arrived in Colombo on Monday and was received by Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe. His visit highlights India’s commitment to its Neighbourhood First Policy and comes in the context of ongoing humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

India initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 as a First Responder effort to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Sri Lanka following the cyclone. Last week, India delivered relief supplies to several flood-affected regions across the island nation as part of the operation.

On December 18, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited flood-affected areas including the Kolonnawa suburb of Colombo and the Bhaktivedanta Children’s Home ‘Gokulam’ in Wattala. Assistance kits were distributed among affected families in coordination with the All Ceylon Sufi Spiritual Association, while children relocated to the ISKCON Temple in Colombo also received support.

Earlier, on December 14, an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft delivered 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations to Sri Lanka and facilitated the return of the Indian Army Field Hospital team, which had been deployed in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy after successfully completing its humanitarian mission.

According to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, efforts to restore critical road connectivity are progressing steadily. Preparatory work is underway at bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi, with the damaged Kilinochchi bridge fully cleared and ready for Bailey Bridge installation to improve access and movement in the region.

— With inputs from IANS