Kerala CM writes to Jaishankar, offers support for stranded Indians

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressing deep concern over the plight of nearly 300 Indian passengers stranded at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport following disruptions caused by Cyclone Ditwah. In his letter sent on Saturday, Vijayan offered all possible support from the Kerala government to assist the stranded travellers, many of whom are believed to be from the state.
The cyclone severely affected airport operations in Colombo, leaving passengers stuck for the past three days without adequate access to food, water or basic facilities. Vijayan noted that several of the stranded individuals were using Colombo as a transit point either returning home or travelling abroad—and now find themselves in an increasingly difficult situation.Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the chief minister said the conditions at the airport have put the affected passengers in crisis and called for swift intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs. “We are deeply concerned about the condition of the people who are stranded. The Government of Kerala stands ready to provide all necessary support and awaits your kind urgent response and action,” Vijayan wrote in his appeal to Jaishankar.