Sri Lanka Army Chief Steps Into Ground Zero As Disaster Crisis Deepens
Sri Lanka’s Army Commander conducts an on-ground assessment in flood-hit Chilaw, coordinating military relief efforts and engaging with Indian and Japanese teams supporting recovery operations. Image courtesy: X.com/@Sri_Lanka_Army
In a strong show of leadership and international cooperation, Sri Lanka’s Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo conducted an extensive field visit to disaster-hit Chilaw, where thousands have been affected by severe flooding and infrastructure damage.
His visit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is relying heavily on both domestic military mobilisation and foreign assistance to stabilise the situation.
What did the Lankan Army chief inspect?
During the inspection, the Army Chief toured homes of affected Army personnel and distributed dry rations to families in urgent need of support.
He also reached out to civilians temporarily sheltered at the Sri Sudarshanaramaya temple premises, offering reassurance as authorities work to restore normalcy.
How did Japan help Sri Lanka during the disaster?
A key highlight of the visit was his interaction with the Japanese Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Japanese teams have been on the ground providing critical medical aid and technical support, reinforcing Japan’s long-standing humanitarian partnership with Sri Lanka.
Lieutenant General Rodrigo thanked them for their rapid deployment and steadfast assistance during what he described as one of the region’s most challenging humanitarian moments in recent months.
What was the Indian role in disaster relief?
In a major development tied to regional cooperation, the Army Chief also inspected the collapsed Thoduwawa Bridge on the Chilaw–Thoduwawa route, a vital structure donated by the Indian Army.
The bridge was transported to the site with logistical support from the Sri Lanka Army and formally handed over to the Road Development Authority (RDA) for installation.
India’s prompt engineering support has been widely acknowledged as a crucial lifeline for restoring connectivity in the flood-affected region.
How was India, Japan assistance critical to relief?
Lieutenant General Rodrigo further examined the damaged Bujjomuwa Bridge near the railway station, where Army engineers have already built a temporary single-lane crossing to ensure uninterrupted civilian movement until full repairs are completed.
The visit underscores Sri Lanka’s multi-layered response, powered by the armed forces and strengthened by international partners, including India and Japan, as the nation works to recover from the latest wave of natural disasters.
