(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Indian Naval Ship ‘Shardul’ arrived at the Colombo harbour on Sunday (28) in view of assisting the on-going disaster relief efforts for the communities affected by the inclement weather in Sri Lanka. The ship is the second Indian Naval vessel arrived in Sri Lanka, boarded with relief teams and materials. The ship is commanded by Commander Rohith Mishra.
Upon a special request made by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, during his official visit to India on Saturday (27), this ship together with another 4 craft had been dispatched to Sri Lanka. The relief teams on-board consist of 3 doctors, 6 medical assistants, 12 divers and a few more lifesaving teams. Accordingly, a group of 27 officers and 100 sailors were aboard, along with a consignment of essential commodities such as; dry ration, bottles of drinking water, makeshift shelters and medicine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Ravi Karunanayake, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, officers from the Naval Headquarters, Defence Attaché to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Captain Ashok Rao and a host of Government officials were present on the occasion.
Strengthening the historical ties of camaraderie and mutual relationship between the neighbouring countries and their navies, the consignment of relief materials has been promptly shipped to Sri Lanka following the directives of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Besides, the Indian Naval Ship ‘Kirch’ arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday (27) with humanitarian, assistance having been alerted of this natural disaster which wreaked havoc in the island nation. Further, yet another Indian Naval ship, with supplies and other aid, is expected to arrive in Colombo on Monday (29).