India sends relief material to Sri Lanka

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) India on Friday sent two naval ships with relief material to Sri Lanka where torrential rains and landslides have claimed at least 63 lives.

INS Sutlej, a survey vessel, sailed for Colombo from Kochi in Kerala. INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel, will carry more relief material, Indian Navy officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the deaths and said India stands by to help the government and people of Sri Lanka. Assistance was being rushed to Colombo on emergency basis, he said.

The island nation’s central Kegalle district has reported the highest number of 34 deaths. Nearly 150 people are still buried under the debris.

The landslide, which struck on Tuesday evening and buried three villages, is said to be the worst in Sri Lanka’s history.

More than 450,000 people have been affected by the floods and landslides.