NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday, expressing condolences over the lack of lives and widespread destruction brought on by Cyclone Ditwah.PM Modi conveyed India’s solidarity with Sri Lanka in the course of the disaster and guaranteed continued help as a part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, aligned with Imaginative and prescient Mahasagar and India’s function because the area’s ‘First Responder’.In the meantime President Dissanayake thanked India for its swift help, together with the speedy deployment of rescue groups and aid provides, and conveyed the Sri Lankan folks’s appreciation for New Delhi’s well timed response.PM Modi assured that India would hold extending crucial assist as Sri Lanka strikes into rehabilitation, restoration of public providers, and rebuilding livelihoods throughout the affected areas.Each leaders agreed to remain in shut contact as aid efforts progress.Sri Lanka’s Catastrophe Administration Centre (DMC) on Sunday confirmed that the dying toll from Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to a minimum of 334, with practically 400 folks nonetheless lacking within the aftermath of the storm. Large broken was additionally induced to properties and different infrastructures. Dissanayake had declared a state of emergency in response to the cyclone’s aftermath and referred to as for worldwide help.India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 to ship pressing HADR help to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah. In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, India equipped a complete of 53 tonnes of aid materials, together with emergency rations, medical provides, tents and hygiene kits, delivered via Indian Navy ships and three IAF plane. Over 80 NDRF personnel and USAR groups had been deployed for rescue operations. Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant and IAF Mi-17s carried out in depth airlift missions, rescuing 121 folks of a number of nationalities, together with the critically injured. India additionally evacuated round 1,500 stranded residents via particular IAF and business flights. Reaffirming its Neighbourhood First coverage and Imaginative and prescient Mahasagar, India has positioned itself because the First Responder and continues to help Sri Lanka’s ongoing rescue, aid and restoration efforts.