Following a request from the Sri Lankan Government on Friday, India has dispatched military ships and an aircraft with rescue and relief material to Sri Lanka.

“We stand resolutely to help the Government and people of Sri Lanka. Assistance being rushed on emergency basis,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Friday.

One Naval Offshore Patrol INS Sunayna and one survey ship INS Sutlej has set sail from Kochi with 30-40 tonnes of relief material, which includes inflatable rafts, fresh water, medical supplies, clothing and other provisions necessary for disaster relief operations and are scheduled to reach Colombo harbour on May 21 during the morning hours.

“The decision to deploy the ships was taken by the government late in the night on Thursday in response to the request for assistance from Sri Lankan government. Both the ships were made ready within six hours after directives were received,” a Navy officer said.

Courtesy of The Hindu.