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India deploys INS Vikrant for Sri Lanka rescue
Attack helicopters to launch operations as weather clears
In an unprecedented regional humanitarian deployment, India has positioned its most powerful aircraft carrier — INS Vikrant — off Sri Lanka’s coast to assist rescue and relief operations as the country reels under catastrophic flooding and landslides.
The 45,000-tonne carrier, capable of carrying over 30 aircraft, arrived in Sri Lankan waters last night following an urgent request by the Government of Sri Lanka. Indian defence authorities have confirmed that attack helicopters onboard the vessel will be airborne for search-and-rescue missions within hours, once weather conditions stabilise.
Senior defence officials described the move as one of the largest rapid-response offers India has extended to Sri Lanka in recent years.
Environment Ministry Senior Advisor Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam, warning that the disaster’s scale reflects deeper environmental vulnerability, welcomed India’s swift intervention.
“This is a life-saving deployment at a critical moment,” Dr. Kariyawasam told The Island. “But we must recognise that climate-driven extreme weather, combined with years of poor land-use practices, has left the country dangerously exposed.”
He stressed that while international rescue support is crucial now, long-term national policy reforms cannot be postponed.
“Every severe flood exposes the same weaknesses — illegal encroachments, wetland loss, unplanned construction and watershed degradation,” he said. “Unless we address these root causes, we will be back here again.”
Indian naval officials confirmed that helicopters designed for difficult terrain and combat-grade manoeuvrability are on standby to conduct:
Flight operations will begin the moment cloud ceilings lift and visibility improves. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said several districts remain inaccessible due to fallen earth, collapsed infrastructure and rising water levels.
As emergency teams brace for another night of uncertainty, the presence of INS Vikrant in Sri Lankan waters signals what officials describe as a “critical reinforcement” at a time when local resources have reached breaking point.
Dr. Kariyawasam said the collaboration should also shape future environmental governance.
He added: “This isn’t just a rescue story — it’s a warning. Climate impacts are accelerating. We must respond with better science, stronger regulations and a national commitment to protect our ecosystems.”
By Ifham Nizam ✍️
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne
Dulani and Samarawickrama set up Sri Lanka’s victory in T20I series opener
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 pm
Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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