Operation Sagar Bandhu: India airlifts 120foot bailey bridge; installs it in Sri Lankas Kilinochchi district

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday inaugurated a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in Sri Lanka’s Kilinochchi district, in presence of Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The 110-tonne bridge was airlifted from India and installed in the Northern Province under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s humanitarian response to the cyclone Ditwah, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on X. The installation helped restore connectivity to the region most affected by the cyclone.

Jointly inaugurated with FM @HMVijithaHerath in the presence of President @anuradisanayake, a 120-foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province, one of the areas severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The 110 tonnes bridge was airlifted from India and installed as part of #OperationSagarBandhu, Jishankar wrote.

Operation Sagar Bandhu

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu last month to assist Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has so far claimed hundreds of lives.

The island nation faced one of its most severe disasters in recent years, with widespread damage to infrastructure and casualties.

Speaking in Colombo as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said the initial relief operation delivered around 1,100 tonnes of relief material. He added that about 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment were also sent to Sri Lanka.

India boosts aid

Jaishankar also handed over a letter from the Prime Minister Modi that commits India to a reconstruction package of USD 450 million for Sri Lanka. He said this builds on India’s role as a first responder during the crisis.

Explaining the proposed package, he said it includes USD 350 million as a concessional line of credit and USD 100 million in grants. The package is being finalised in close consultation with the Sri Lankan government to ensure it meets key recovery and infrastructure needs.

Jaishankar arrived in Colombo on Monday evening and was received by deputy minister of tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe.

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