A third Indian Naval Ship, INS Jalashwa, arrived at Colombo Port yesterday from Vishakapatnam, as part of India's ongoing assistance for flood relief in Sri Lanka, a statement from High Commission said.
This is the largest of the three Indian ships sent to Sri Lanka. It has specialized equipment, including landing platform / dock, disembarkation crafts, helicopters, and a fully equipped medical hospital with operation theaters and laboratories. With around 400 personnel on board, the ship has on board multiple rescue and diving teams, along with inflatable boats and medical supplies. It has also brought additional relief material.
High Commissioner of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed over Indian assistance from the ship to P.B. Abeykoon, Secretary to President, and Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy. Later in the day, Ravi Karunanayake, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, along with the High Commissioner, flagged off the deployment of Indian Navy teams to various locations across Sri Lanka particularly in Akussera and Deniyaya in Matara District and Divitura in Galle District. These teams will work with the Sri Lanka Navy in undertaking rescue and relief operations.
Indian High Commissioner reiterated India’s unwavering commitment and support to Sri Lanka in the relief operations. He said that as requested by the Sri Lankan government, India has focused on rescue operations by providing specialized diving and medical teams as well as essential relief items. He also mentioned that Specialized Disaster Management compact teams are ready to assist in case of requirement. The Sri Lankan dignitaries thanked the Government of India for its continued support.
Meanwhile, the rescue and medical teams from INS Shardul, which reached Colombo on May 28, continued to provide assistance at Kaluthara and Ratnapura. Joint medical camps with Sri Lankan Navy personnel were organized in different places, including Nagoda Hospital in Kaluthara.
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
The Supreme Court today refused interim relief in an application filed by President’s Counsel Senaka Walgampaya seeking an Order from the Supreme Court compelling the President to appoint judges to fill the existing vacancies in the Court Of Appeal.
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All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem had been arrested by Kalpitiya police after he surrendered to the police today morning.
Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been sent on compulsory leave pending disciplinary investigation over his failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings.
The 22nd amendment to the constitution dealing with the term of the President has been gazetted by order of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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