New Delhi, May 26: The Indian Navy has deployed a ship INS Sharda to provide relief assistance to flood-affected areas of South and Central Sri Lanka. The ship, which docked at Galle, handed over relief material, including food packets, water bottles, ration and medicines to the government of Sri Lanka, an official release said here today.

Indian Navy's specialist diving and naval medical teams, which have been transported aboard the ship, have set up camps in the flood-affected areas of Ratnapura, Nagoda, Thithagoda and Kaluthara, it said. Naval personnel were also actively involved in evacuation of stranded civilians, distribution of food and water, medical treatment and support, restoration of power and telephones and other relief activities in the affected areas, it said.

The helicopter onboard the ship was also being used for aerial survey of affected areas and to assess effectiveness of relief measures undertaken, as also to augment assistance as required, the release added.

Bureau Report