The Hindu : National : Indian ships reach Sri Lanka

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004

National

National

Indian ships reach Sri Lanka

By V.S. Sambandan

A statue of the Buddha stands among the debris in a street hit by the tsunami, as policemen guard buildings from looters in the Sri Lankan town of Galle on Monday. — AP

COLOMBO, DEC. 27 . A massive Indian relief operation involving naval ships and helicopters is under way in Sri Lanka ravaged by the tsunami on Sunday.

Two Indian naval ships have arrived in Sri Lanka's eastern and southern ports. Last night, an Indian Air Force Dornier aircraft brought 600 kg of medical supplies and a medical team. The High Commission of India said four ships would be involved in Sri Lanka for relief work.

The INS Sandhyak, which arrived in Trincomalee this morning, carried medical and general relief items, diving teams, inflatable boats etc.

The INS Sharda reached Galle at noon with medical teams and other relief supplies. The INS Sutlej and the INS Sukanya are the other two ships which would arrive in Sri Lanka.

Six MI-17 helicopters are to arrive in Sri Lanka's only international airport with medical teams and medical and general relief items.

A large transport aircraft, IL-76, is also arriving at Colombo International Airport with medical teams and medical and general relief provisions.

'Friendship, solidarity'

India described the relief assistance, extended at a time when there was massive loss of life and property in India , as "emblematic of the friendship, solidarity and fellow-feeling that India has for Sri Lanka and a symbol also of the close and friendly ties existing between the Governments of India and Sri Lanka."

The Indian High Commissioner, Nirupama Rao, who is on a visit to India is advancing her return to Sri Lanka "to co-ordinate relief and assistance work." The Indian High Commission has established a 24-hour control room on its premises in Colombo to answer "all queries relating to Indian nationals affected by the tragedy."

The control room numbers are: 0094112422788, 0094112327587, 0094112421605, 009472234183 and (Fax) 0094112446403, 0094112448166

Three consular teams have been send to Galle, Yala and Trincomalee to "provide all assistance to any stranded Indian tourists and Indian nationals in different parts of Sri Lanka."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National