Sri Lanka honours Indian and foreign naval ships for lifesaving cyclone relief efforts

The Sri Lanka Navy on Thursday formally honoured eight foreign naval vessels, including two from India, for their vital assistance during the devastating Cyclone Ditwah , which struck the island nation in late November 2025. The disaster claimed 644 lives and left 175 people missing , causing widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse , officials said.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya personally expressed gratitude to diplomats representing the countries involved, highlighting the critical role of international cooperation in disaster relief, Navy spokesman Commander Sampath said.

Among the honoured vessels were INS Vikrant , India’s aircraft carrier, and INS Udaygiri , a guided-missile frigate. Both ships were the first to arrive in Sri Lanka to assist in relief operations, with helicopters from INS Vikrant deployed to rescue stranded civilians , deliver food and medical supplies , and transport emergency teams to inaccessible flood- and landslide-hit regions.

The eight foreign naval ships came from Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia , and one other participating nation, all of which had been scheduled to attend the International Fleet Review 2025 , marking the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy . Instead of remaining for the ceremonial event, these vessels were immediately redirected to humanitarian assistance , underlining the spirit of regional solidarity.

India’s relief mission, Operation Sagar Bandhu , commenced on the day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall, November 27, 2025 . The operation delivered over 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing, and water purification units. Around 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment were also provided, along with 60 tonnes of specialized equipment to assist recovery efforts. Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters operated in Sri Lanka for over two weeks, conducting evacuations and distributing supplies.

Cyclone Ditwah wrought widespread destruction , with homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges damaged or destroyed. Entire villages were submerged, landslides swept away infrastructure in hilly areas, and local agriculture and fisheries suffered significant losses, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Beyond immediate relief, India has pledged long-term support for reconstruction, announcing a USD 450 million assistance package on December 23, 2025 . This includes USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and USD 100 million in grants , aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and strengthening disaster preparedness in Sri Lanka.

“The rapid deployment of foreign naval vessels, particularly from India, saved countless lives and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis,” Commander Sampath said. The honours awarded to the eight ships underscore Sri Lanka’s appreciation of timely humanitarian support that helped mitigate the cyclone’s devastating impact.

Sri Lanka is gradually recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term reconstruction. Emergency efforts continue to provide food, clean water, medical aid, and temporary shelters to affected communities, while damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, and homes is being repaired. International assistance, especially from India through Operation Sagar Bandhu , has been crucial, delivering relief material, medical supplies, and helicopters for evacuations. The Sri Lankan government, together with foreign partners, is also working on rebuilding schools, hospitals, and public facilities , restoring livelihoods in agriculture and fisheries, and strengthening disaster preparedness measures to better withstand future extreme weather events.