India Hands Over Two Personal Watercrafts and Safety Gear to Sri Lanka Coast Guard

India has strengthened its maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka by handing over two Personal Watercrafts (PWCs) along with essential safety equipment to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The handover ceremony took place at the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Headquarters in Mirissa, where the Defence Advisor of the High Commission of India formally presented the equipment to the Director of Operations.

Boost to Search and Rescue Capabilities

According to the High Commission of India in Colombo, the initiative is aimed at enhancing the Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s capacity for near-shore Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

The newly provided watercrafts and safety gear are expected to improve rapid response capabilities during maritime emergencies, particularly in coastal and high-risk zones.

Part of Ongoing Humanitarian Cooperation

Officials noted that the assistance forms part of India’s continued humanitarian outreach and maritime support initiatives in the region.

Recently, on April 24, India also delivered two BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) cubes to Sri Lanka under the Aarogya Maitri initiative.

These portable medical units are designed to handle up to 200 emergency cases, equipped with essential medicines and surgical tools for basic life-saving procedures.

Strengthening Defence Ties

In addition to medical and rescue support, India is also reinforcing defence cooperation with Sri Lanka.

The Indian Navy is set to hand over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to the Sri Lankan Navy, further deepening maritime security collaboration between the two nations.

Growing India–Sri Lanka Partnership

These initiatives reflect expanding cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in areas such as:

• Maritime safety and rescue operations
• Humanitarian medical assistance
• Defence and security support

Officials say the partnership continues to focus on regional stability and quick response capability in the Indian Ocean region.