Sri Lanka Seeks Indian Aircraft For Rescue Ops Amid Worsening Floods

COLOMBO (News 1st); Amid worsening floods and landslides across Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence is exploring urgent international assistance to bolster rescue operations.

Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, revealed that discussions are underway with the Indian High Commission to deploy aircraft from the Indian warship currently docked in Colombo.

"There is a possibility of using the aircraft aboard the Indian warship. However, given the inclement weather, Indian pilots are not in a comfortable position to deploy those aircraft from Colombo," Thuyacontha stated.

He further confirmed that all diplomats in Sri Lanka will meet this evening to assess immediate needs and coordinate aid.

The Ministry hopes to secure aircraft for search and rescue missions, along with other critical facilities, as the country battles one of its most severe weather emergencies in recent years.