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India’s INS Vikrant helps Sri Lanka on maiden voyage
View(s):INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier which made its maiden voyage out of India to Sri Lanka this week was able to provide help to the flood-affected when two of its Chetak helicopters were deployed for search and rescue operations.
The operations took place with Sri Lanka Air Force personnel on board.
Earlier, an official reception was held on board INS Vikrant with Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa as the chief guest.
Meanwhile, the Indian Government has launched operation ‘Sagar Bandhu’ to help Lankans affected by the severe weather conditions.
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- INS Vikrant Aircraft Carrier Pix by Indika Handuwela
The Indian government has arranged urgent relief measures to support ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts.
This include some 4.5 tons of dry rations and 2 tons of fresh rations, consisting of staple foods, packaged and ready-to-eat items, dairy and bakery products, beverages, and other nutritional essentials to meet urgent household needs. In addition, other essential survival items were also handed over to Sri Lanka on Friday.
The two flights, a C-130 and IL76 landed separately.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X that the Indian Airforce C-130 J delivered “12 tons of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food’’.
Two rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force landed Saturday, with 80 rescuers and four dogs.
The aircraft unloaded inflatable rescue boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, advanced communication systems, medical first-aid kits, and other humanitarian supplies.
These are described as urgent HADR supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences to the people of Sri Lanka for the lives lost. “I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families. In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu.’’
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