India, Dec. 8 -- The Indian Navy deployed four more ships to supply HADR stores to cyclone-affected regions of Sri Lanka as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.

The operation was launched to provide urgent Search & Rescue and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

The Navy has added INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57 ships to the mission.

INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya had earlier rendered relief assistance and heli-borne SAR support.

INS Gharial is scheduled to arrive at Trincomalee on December 8 to continue the humanitarian assistance mission.

"With a 1000 tons of supplies for providing succour, this deployment of ships underscores the strong people to people ties between India...