India has sent two Indian Air Force transport aircraft – C-130 and IL-76 along with relief material and paramilitary personnel to Sri Lanka to provide humanitarian assistance under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’. India has launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ to assist Sri Lanka in the time of crisis arising after Cyclone ‘Ditwa’.
Indian Air Force on Saturday wrote on the social media platform
Information was given by the Air Force, “The Indian Air Force immediately dispatched a ‘C-130’ and an ‘IL-76’ aircraft from Hindon Air Force Base on the night of 28/29 November 2025, which flew to Colombo carrying 21 tonnes of relief material, more than 80 NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) personnel and eight tonnes of equipment.
Officials said that necessary ration and important materials have been delivered to Sri Lanka to help the affected communities.
‘India stands strongly with Sri Lanka’
The Air Force said, “Keeping in mind the spirit of ‘Neighbourhood First’, India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this difficult time.”
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also shared the latest information related to ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ on ‘X’ on Saturday.
#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items lands in Colombo.
—Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 29, 2025
He wrote, “Another ‘IL-76’ aircraft of the Indian Air Force reached Colombo carrying nine tonnes of relief material and two urban search and rescue teams comprising of 80 NDRF personnel.
“About 27 tonnes of relief material has been delivered so far by both air and sea routes and help is on the way,” he said. Operation Sagar Bandhu is continuing.
Under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, the first consignment of relief material was sent to Sri Lanka through the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’ and warship ‘INS Udayagiri’.
An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying nearly 12 tons of emergency relief supplies including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food, arrived in Colombo today as part of India’s ongoing humanitarian support to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah.… pic.twitter.com/EQ2NDGtNk1
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) November 29, 2025
More than 150 deaths in Sri Lanka
According to Sri Lankan authorities, more than 150 people have died so far due to floods and landslides there. About 43,900 people from 12,313 families have been affected by the bad weather in Sri Lanka.