‘Deeply Appreciate’: Sri Lankans Thank India On X For Operation Sagar Bandhu Amid Cyclone Ditwah

Last Updated:December 01, 2025, 13:37 IST

India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered swift cyclone relief to Sri Lanka, earning gratitude from Sri Lankan leaders.

India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered swift cyclone relief to Sri Lanka, earning gratitude from Sri Lankan leaders.

India’s rapid deployment of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu has triggered a wave of gratitude across the island nation, with senior ministers, police authorities, diplomats and public figures taking to social media to thank New Delhi for its swift response amid the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath posted on X, thanking External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for India’s swift response.

In his post, Herath wrote:

“Thank you, my friend, @DrSJaishankar for the timely support extended to Sri Lanka in this difficult hour."

Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry also echoed gratitude in two separate media.
He wrote that Sri Lanka “deeply appreciates" India’s support and highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two neighbours.

Speaking to ANI he further said, “I think India’s response has been fabulous, so spontaneous and immediate. We are very grateful. This is not the first time, India has always been a great friend of Sri Lanka and a great neighbour to have."

The Sri Lankan Police shared a public message thanking India for its deployment of helicopters and rescue teams:

MP from Colombo, Harsha de Silva lauded India’s response, “Much appreciated the immediate help from our dearest friends in India. Thank you. @DrSJaishankar and the people of India."

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India,  Mahishini Colonné, expressed appreciation, sharing visuals of Indian personnel delivering aid. 

Speaking to Indian media, Deputy Foreign Minister, Arun Hemachandra of Sri Lanka thanked India’s relief response and said, “My sincere thanks to the Government and the people of India for their friendship and timely help during these difficult times."

Operation Sagar Bandhu was received warmly by municpal councils as well. Lihini Fernando, Member of the Moratuwa Municipal Council also expressed gratitude by saying, “Your timely assistance and solidarity during this difficult moment mean a great deal to our people. India’s steadfast support reflects not only compassion, but also the deep and enduring friendship between our nations. "

Cyclone Ditwah has become one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years, with the latest official figures confirming 153 deaths and more than 110 people still missing. Tens of thousands have been displaced as landslides and massive flooding inundated large parts of the country, while districts such as Galle, Matara, Ratnapura and Kalutara remain severely waterlogged. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities warn that the toll is likely to rise as teams gain access to remote, isolated villages.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, India has mounted one of its largest emergency relief operations in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The Indian Navy deployed INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri, which together delivered over 12 tonnes of relief material, including food packets, tents, tarpaulins, water purification units and essential medicines. Navy helicopters carried out multiple rescue sorties to evacuate stranded civilians from submerged neighbourhoods. The Indian Air Force also played a key role, with a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft airlifting emergency supplies to Colombo, while both IAF and Navy helicopters conducted aerial surveys, medical evacuations and air-drops of critical supplies to unreachable zones.

Multiple teams of the Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived in Colombo and Galle to conduct search-and-rescue operations, remove debris and provide frontline medical assistance. Indian medical officers and paramedics were embedded directly with Sri Lankan first responders, supplying emergency medicines and trauma-care kits to hospitals struggling with patient overload. Throughout the crisis, the Indian High Commission in Colombo operated a 24×7 coordination cell, working closely with Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to streamline deployment and delivery of aid.

News world ‘Deeply Appreciate’: Sri Lankans Thank India On X For Operation Sagar Bandhu Amid Cyclone Ditwah

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