Colombo, December 23:

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday for a key diplomatic visit as the island nation works to recover from the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The visit comes at a critical time when Sri Lanka is focusing on rebuilding damaged infrastructure and supporting communities affected by the disaster.

Jaishankar landed in Colombo in the evening and was received by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe. Shortly after his arrival, the minister shared a message on social media, saying he looked forward to meeting Sri Lanka’s top leadership during his stay. His visit is expected to include discussions with senior government leaders on post-cyclone reconstruction, regional cooperation, and ongoing bilateral ties between the two neighbours.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit reflects India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and highlights New Delhi’s commitment to standing by Sri Lanka during times of crisis. It also follows India’s launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu, a humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah struck the country in late November.

Cyclone Ditwah caused severe damage across several parts of Sri Lanka, leaving more than 600 people dead and affecting thousands of families. Heavy rains and strong winds destroyed crops, damaged tea estates, and disrupted daily life in both urban and rural areas. Key transport infrastructure, including roads and bridges, was badly hit, making relief and recovery work more challenging.

In response to the crisis, India moved quickly to provide assistance. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, relief supplies such as medicines, dry rations, and other essential items were sent to the affected regions. On December 14, an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft delivered 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations to Sri Lanka. The same flight also brought back an Indian Army field hospital team that had completed its humanitarian mission near Kandy, where it provided medical support to cyclone-affected communities.

India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, has also been actively involved in relief efforts on the ground. Earlier this month, he visited flood-hit areas in Colombo and Wattala, where relief kits were distributed to families and children in coordination with local organisations. These efforts focused on meeting immediate needs while also supporting longer-term recovery.

Work is now underway to restore damaged infrastructure, which is crucial for normalising life in affected regions. According to the Indian High Commission, preparations are being made to install a Bailey bridge at the Kilinochchi bridge site, which has been cleared. Once completed, the bridge is expected to restore road connectivity and improve access for residents and relief teams.

At the political level, India and Sri Lanka have remained in close contact since the disaster. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to express condolences over the loss of lives caused by the cyclone. Modi assured Sri Lanka of India’s continued support during the recovery phase. President Dissanayake thanked India for its quick and effective response, describing the assistance as timely and helpful during a difficult period.

Jaishankar’s visit is seen as an extension of these efforts, combining humanitarian support with diplomatic engagement. His meetings with Sri Lankan leaders are expected to focus not only on cyclone recovery but also on strengthening cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, development, and regional stability.

As Sri Lanka begins the long process of rebuilding after Cyclone Ditwah, India’s assistance and diplomatic outreach underline the close ties between the two countries. The visit sends a clear message of solidarity at a time when practical support and cooperation matter most.

 Jaishankar Visits Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka, Holds Talks as Reconstruction Efforts Gather Pace

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Colombo as Sri Lanka continues its recovery after the devastating Cyclone Ditwah. His visit comes at a crucial moment when the island nation is focusing on rebuilding lives, restoring damaged infrastructure, and supporting communities affected by the disaster. The visit highlights India’s continued support to Sri Lanka under its Neighbourhood First policy and ongoing humanitarian outreach.

Jaishankar was welcomed in Colombo by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe. In a social media post, the External Affairs Minister said he looked forward to meeting Sri Lanka’s top leadership during his visit. These meetings are expected to focus on post-cyclone reconstruction, regional cooperation, and strengthening long-standing ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November, caused massive destruction across the country. More than 600 people lost their lives, while crops, tea estates, roads, and bridges suffered heavy damage. Flooding and strong winds disrupted daily life in several regions, making relief and rescue operations difficult.

India responded swiftly by launching Operation Sagar Bandhu to help Sri Lanka deal with the aftermath of the cyclone. As part of the operation, India delivered medicines, dry rations, and essential supplies to affected areas. On December 14, an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft transported 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations to Sri Lanka. The aircraft also brought back an Indian Army field hospital team that had completed its humanitarian mission near Kandy.

India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited flood-hit areas in Colombo and Wattala, where relief kits were distributed to families and children with support from local organisations. Efforts to restore damaged infrastructure are also underway, including plans to install a Bailey bridge at the Kilinochchi site to restore road connectivity.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, offering condolences and assuring continued support. The Sri Lankan President thanked India for its quick and effective assistance during the crisis.