Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a crucial conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday, following the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The Indian leader expressed profound condolences for the significant loss of life and the extensive damage caused by the severe storm.
India's Solidarity and Swift Response
During the call, PM Modi firmly conveyed India's solidarity with its island neighbour during this crisis. He assured President Dissanayake of New Delhi's continued assistance, which is being coordinated under Operation Sagar Bandhu. This effort is aligned with the broader Vision Mahasagar and reinforces India's commitment to its role as the preferred 'First Responder' in the region during humanitarian disasters.
President Dissanayake, in response, expressed his nation's gratitude for India's immediate support. He specifically thanked the Indian government for the rapid deployment of rescue teams and the delivery of essential relief supplies, acknowledging the Sri Lankan people's appreciation for New Delhi's timely and effective response.
Focus Shifts to Rehabilitation and Rebuilding
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Modi assured that India's support would not waver as Sri Lanka enters the challenging next phases of recovery. He committed that India would keep extending necessary help for rehabilitation, restoration of critical public services, and the rebuilding of livelihoods across the cyclone-ravaged areas. Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact as the extensive relief operations progress.
The Scale of the Disaster
The urgency of the dialogue is underscored by the grim statistics released by Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC). As of Sunday, the confirmed death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has tragically climbed to at least 334 people. Furthermore, nearly 400 individuals remain missing in the aftermath of the catastrophic weather event.
The cyclone has left a trail of massive destruction, severely damaging thousands of homes and crippling key infrastructure. In response to the unprecedented crisis, President Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency and made an appeal for international assistance to cope with the scale of the devastation.
