In the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka has sought assistance and expertise from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s National Remote Sensing Centre.
The request was made by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) on behalf of the government. The Indian High Commission (IHC) said that they had arranged for a virtual meeting between DMC and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s National Remote Sensing Centre. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and Maj. General (Retd.) Kotuwegoda, DG, DMC participated, the IHC said.
The IHC said that since the onset of the disaster, in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, ISRO has been providing maps to assist DMC in its efforts and would continue to provide full support. Also, a virtual meeting was organised between Odisha State Disaster Management Authorities of Odissa and Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, regarding early warning systems and community-led disaster response architecture.
The text of the IHC statement: ” Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on Nov 28, India has provided about 58 tonnes relief material including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential cloths, water purification kits and about 4.5 tonnes medicines and surgical equipment. Another 60 tonnes of equipment including generators, inflatable rescue boats, Out Board Motors, excavators, etc., have also been brought to Sri Lanka. Further, 185 tonnes of Baily Bridge units were airlifted to restore critical connectivity along with 44 engineers. Two columns of National Disaster Response Force comprising 80 experts and K9 units with specially trained dogs assisted with immediate rescue and relief efforts in Sri Lanka. A fully fledged field hospital with 78 medical personnel was deployed, which is now providing life-saving care, in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, conducting surgeries, trauma care, etc., catering to more than 850 patients so far. Medical centres have also been set up from the BHISHM Arogya Maitri cubes in the badly hit Ja-Ela region and in Negombo. INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya, provided immediate rescue and relief assistance to Sri Lanka. Apart from the two Chetak helicopters deployed from INS Vikrant, two heavy lift, MI 17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force are actively involved in evacuations and airlifting relief material. In addition, about 2500 stranded Indians were evacuated from Sri Lanka, using more than 400 on IAF aircraft.
On Dec 6, yet another C-17, the ninth Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to arrive in Colombo under Operation Sagar Bandhu, brought 65 tonnes including 55 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units (corresponding to a bridge length of 110 ft), an excavator and other earth moving equipment along with 13 Indian Army Engineers. In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, the Indian Engineer Corps carried out surveys and reconnaissance at multiple sites where bridges have been washed away or damaged, for the construction of Bailey Bridges. Two sites have been identified and work is starting for construction of a Bailey bridges at one of the sites in Killinochchi.
On Saturday (06), Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, visited and reviewed the Indian Army Field Hospital working at Mahiyanganaya near Kandy. He conveyed his appreciation to the Government of India for its swift response in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and for ensuring that critical medical care reaches those in need. The Field Hospital was airlifted to Sri Lanka by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft along with a 78-member Indian medical team. As of yesterday (06), the facility has treated a total of 871 patients, carried out 74 minor procedures, and successfully conducted four surgeries.
In a significant public–private contribution to recovery and rehabilitation, Lanka Ashok Leyland donated seven essential utility vehicles valued at over LKR 65 million, in the presence of Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Minister of Industry & Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, and Deputy Minister of Defence of Sri Lanka Gen. (retd.) Aruna Jayasekara. Selected in consultation with Sri Lankan authorities to meet urgent operational needs, the initiative was further strengthened by a LKR 2.5 million contribution from employees of Lanka Ashok Leyland.
Meanwhile, Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter continued life-saving missions. In a sortie on Saturday (06), 4 tonnes of relief load was airlifted, 12 survivors were evacuated, and two patients were transported for advanced medical care.
Separately, Lanka Ashok Leyland, donated seven essential vehicles valued at 65 million LKR to strengthen relief recovery and rehabilitation efforts, in consultation with DMC. Staff from the company donated 2.5 million LKR. Indian Diaspora organisations in Sri Lanka have also donated aid to the tune of approximately 2 million LKR and distributed it to the needy.”
The event was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.
During the ceremony, ThaiPongal rituals were performed under the patronage of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The celebration was enriched with a range of vibrant cultural performances of Hindu culture and traditions.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Environment Minister Dammika Patabedi said yesterday he had ordered an inquiry into the withdrawal of China-based Amber Adventures (Private) Ltd., from the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project.Addressing the media, the Minister said the Environment Ministry had no direct agreement with the company, as the project was under the purview of the Board of Investment (BOI).
He said construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone had been suspended following complaints from environmental organisations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. All constructions in high-risk areas, he said, had been halted pending clearance by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).
According to the Minister, complaints had been received that construction at Ambuluwawa was continuing without NBRO clearance.
In response, the Ministry instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to conduct an investigation and thereafter construction activities were suspended pending a technical assessment by experts.
The Ministry of Environment subsequently ordered the immediate suspension of all construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone until the assessment was completed, he said, adding that work could resume if expert evaluations cleared the project.
Following the suspension, Amber Adventures (Private) Ltd,, described as the country’s first cable car venture, formally withdrew from the project, citing what it termed “regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action.”
The company, a major Chinese investor in the project, proposed as Sri Lanka’s first cable car initiative with both Chinese and American investment, officially informed the BOI of its decision on Wednesday (14). In a letter to the BOI, the company said it had obtained all required permits and approvals in line with BOI procedures but faced repeated disruptions that resulted in significant financial losses.
Company Director Yuan Yuping warned that legal action would be pursued at the International Court of Arbitration to recover losses incurred due to the suspension of the project, citing continuous interruptions and government decisions as the cause.
Meanwhile, the Ambuluwawa Trust Board said the withdrawal of investors from the project was a major loss to the country, noting that it was regrettable that decisions had been taken without proper investigation, based on allegations by parties lacking a clear understanding of the facts.
It warned that halting a large-scale project of that nature would result in the loss of direct and indirect employment opportunities, as well as income sources for communities in the surrounding areas.
By Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake ✍️
Balangoda Kassapa Thero, held in Trincomalee remand prison over alleged violations of the Coastal Conservation Act, reportedly refused meals yesterday (15).
Prison authorities, however, said it could not be confirmed whether the monk’s action amounted to a hunger strike. Prison Media Spokesperson A. C. Gajanayake added that an official statement on the matter would be issued today (16).
The monk and eight others were remanded until 19 Jan by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court over allegations of unauthorised construction of a shelter to place a Buddha statue at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraj Viharaya. Prison sources said Thero had also declined food brought from outside.
The case follows reports to the court by the Trincomalee Harbour Police that unauthorised constructions had been carried out, despite instructions from the Court of Appeal to resolve the dispute peacefully.
by Chaminda Silva ✍️
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