India
sends Oxygen to vitalize Sri Lanka’s fight against COVID-19
Aligned
with the Government of India’s ongoing commitment to support Sri
Lanka in the fight against COVID-19, Indian Naval Ship Shakti set
sail to Colombo with 100 tons (5 containers) of Liquid Medical Oxygen
(LMO) on board from Visakhapatnam on 19 August 2021. Named
Operation Samudra Setu-II, deployment of the Indian Naval Vessel for
the delivery of oxygen was in response to a personal request for
assistance by H.E Gotabaya Rajapaksa for urgent supply of LMO. The
Vessel is scheduled to arrive Colombo on 22 August 2021.
2.
Camaraderie and coordination between Navies and various other
stakeholders in India and Sri Lanka were on display as Sri Lankan
Naval Vessel Shakthi with 40 tons of LMO on board also commenced its
journey from Chennai to Colombo around the same time as INS Shakti.
It was a rare instance wherein two Shakti vessels commenced their
journey from two different ports in India to the same destination
almost at the same time for a common purpose.
3.
In addition, another 140 tons of LMO from Haldia and Chennai ports
are also expected to reach Colombo during the coming week.
4.
Samudra Setu-II is an initiative of the Indian Navy to undertake
urgent shipments of LMO containers and associated medical equipment
to various countries. Seven Indian Naval Ships were deployed
for such missions earlier. It may also be recalled that stranded
citizens from India and Sri Lanka were repatriated into their
respective countries via INS Jalashwa under Operation Samudra Setu
last year.
5.
India’s assistance to Sri Lanka during the pandemic has been varied
and need-based in nature. Close to 26 tons of essential medical
supplies were gifted in April-May
2020.
Currency swap of USD 400 million was provided in July 2020. The
first consignment of vaccines which was donated by India in January
2021 enabled Sri Lanka to roll out their vaccination programme
ahead of schedule.
*****
Colombo
20
August 2021
