On December 23, 2025, Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), visited Sri Lanka as Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Special Envoy, in the wake of catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread deaths, displacement and infrastructure across Sri Lanka.
- The visit highlighted India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and was undertaken in the context of ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’.
Exam Hints:
- What? Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka
- When? December 23, 2025
- Policy Context: Neighbourhood First Policy; Operation Sagar Bandhu
- Reason: Post–Cyclone Ditwah relief and reconstruction
- Reconstruction Aid Package: USD 450 million
- Key Infrastructure: 120-foot Bailey Bridge inaugurated at Kilinochchi
Highlights Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s Visit to Sri Lanka:
Arrival: He arrived in Colombo (Sri Lanka), received by Srilankan officials, including Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, and Aruni Wijewardane, Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka.
High-Level Engagement: During the visit, he met the PM of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees in Colombo, reaffirming Government of India (GoI)’s strong commitment to Sri Lanka’s rebuilding and recovery efforts.
- He also met the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Vijitha Herath, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.
Reconstruction & Relief Package:
Fund Support: Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced a reconstruction aid package of USD 450 million, comprising USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit (LoC) and USD 100 million in grants, aimed at restoring infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education, agriculture, and enhancing disaster preparedness.
Restoration: These funds are designated to restore road, railway, and bridge connectivity, rebuild homes damaged or destroyed by the cyclone, support healthcare and education infrastructure, assist agriculture and food security, and enhance disaster preparedness and response capacity.
Bailey Bridge Installation: During the visit, he inaugurated a 120-foot dual-carriageway Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, one of the regions severely hit by the cyclone.
- The 110-tonne bridge was airlifted from India and installed under Operation Sagar Bandhu, GoI’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission.
- It is a temporary, portable steel bridge made of prefabricated modular parts that can be quickly assembled on site without heavy machinery. It is named after Sir Donald Bailey, a British engineer, who invented it during World War II.
About Operation Sagar Bandhu:
Overview: On November 28, 2025, Operation Sagar Bandhu(Ocean Friend) was launched to provide urgent lifesaving aid, rescue operations, relief supplies, medical support, and early recovery assistance to Sri Lanka.
Military & Civil Deployment: Indian Navy (IN) deployed ships including Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, INS Udayagiri, INS Sukanya, INS Gharial, and Coast Guard vessels to deliver relief materials by sea.
- Indian Air Force (IAF) flew transport aircrafts such as C-130J, II-76, C-17, carrying crews, supplies, and equipment.
- Two specialized teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with approximately 80 personnel with rescue dogs conducted Search and Research (S&R) missions.
- Indian Army (IA) deployed field hospital teams, engineering contingents, and Bailey bridge specialists.
About Sri Lanka:
President – Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Capital – Colombo
Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
