External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, arriving in Colombo as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special envoy on December 23, 2025, announced a comprehensive $450 million reconstruction and recovery package to support Sri Lanka following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island nation in late November, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
In discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Jaishankar conveyed a personal letter from Modi, reaffirming India's commitment under the Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies, while emphasizing swift coordination to deliver assistance effectively in the wake of one of Sri Lanka's most severe natural disasters in recent history.
Cyclone Ditwah triggered intense flooding and landslides across all 25 districts, resulting in over 640 deaths, affecting nearly 2.3 million people, and inflicting an estimated $4.1 billion in direct physical damage—equivalent to about 4 percent of Sri Lanka's GDP—according to a World Bank rapid assessment.
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India's immediate response through Operation Sagar Bandhu included deploying naval assets such as INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri for initial relief deliveries, airlifting supplies via Indian Air Force aircraft, mobilizing an 80-member National Disaster Response Force team for rescues, and establishing an Indian Army field hospital that provided medical care to thousands, alongside deploying modular emergency units and engineering teams.
The $450 million package, consisting of $350 million in concessional lines of credit and $100 million in grants, prioritizes rebuilding critical infrastructure like roads, railways, and bridges; constructing housing for affected families; restoring health and education facilities; supporting agriculture recovery; and enhancing long-term disaster preparedness, with mechanisms being finalized for rapid and targeted implementation to aid Sri Lanka's resilient comeback.
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