INS Gharial reaches Sri Lanka to hand over first consignment of medical aid from India

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Landing Ship Tank of Indian Navy INS Gharial reached on Friday at the port of Colombo for expeditious delivery of the first consignment of Critical Medical Stores.

The Navy Spokesperson said that the Ship carried 260 Kg and 107 boxes of medical aid which was requested by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Navy welcomed with naval traditions the visiting ship which is commanded by Commander Sunil S Patil and is manned by 170 as the ship's complement.

The Commanding Officer of INS Gharial is expected to call on Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Upul De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters this evening. During this meeting, the consignment of medical aid despatched from India is scheduled to be officially handed over to Sri Lanka.

India in the last six months has provided assistance on several fronts to its tiny neighbour to tide over its economic crisis.

New Delhi extended a line of credit worth USD 500 million to Sri Lanka in February to help it purchase petroleum products. It has also been sending medicines to Sri Lanka amid the crisis.

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