India sends relief to Lanka

 India on Friday despatched 2 naval ships and a C-17 aircraft with relief materials to Sri Lanka, which was severely battered by the tropical cyclone Roanu, leading to severe damage.

Navy’s offshore patrol vessels INS Sunayana and survey vessel INS Sutlej are on their way to Colombo from the Southern Command in Kochi. Indian Air Force’s C-17 carried additional relief materials and tents to help the island nation cope with the natural disaster.

A high-level meeting was held at the Home Ministry to assess the requirement of relief material and how to quickly airlift them to Sri Lanka.

The naval ships are likely to reach either Friday night or early morning on Saturday depending on the sea conditions whereas the C-17 is expected to reach on Friday. India has promised to extend all necessary help to the neighbour.

“India is extending help and relief to Sri Lanka which is battling torrential rains and landslides which have caused significant devastation and loss of life. The Indian Navy is sending two ships today, INS Sutlej and INS Sunanyna with Gemini's (inflatable boats), OBMs (outboard motors), additional divers, tarpaulins, consumable stores, rations,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs.