On December 6, , the ninth Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to arrive in Colombo under Operation Sagar Bandhu, brought 65 tonnes of load including 55 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units (corresponding to a bridge length of 110 ft), an excavator and other earth moving equipment along with 13 Indian Army Engineers. In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, the Indian Engineer Corps carried out surveys and reconnaissance at multiple sites where bridges have been washed away or damaged, for the construction of Bailey Bridges. Two sites have been identified and work is starting for construction of a Bailey bridges at one of sites in Killinochi.
High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha met Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, to review the ongoing Indian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu and to discuss avenues of cooperation during the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase. He also met Sri Lankan corporate leaders associated with the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ to deliberate on the way forward for recovery, briefing them on India’s comprehensive response and continued commitment to stand by Sri Lanka during this critical phase.
