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[December 27, 2004 - 6.00 GMT] By V.S. Sambandan (The Hindu) COLOMBO, DEC. 26. An Indian Dornier aircraft touched down at the Ratmalana domestic airport tonight, carrying emergency relief and a medical team. Four more ships are to arrive tomorrow, with more emergency assistance. "It is in the best traditions of good neighbourly relations and a true expression of being a friend in need. We responded immediately," Mohan Kumar, the acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, told The Hindu. Last May, an Indian ship, INS Sujata, came to the help of the island-nation when floods hit central and southern Sri Lanka. This time, the emergency response from India has been "more rapid." According to sources, the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, ordered "immediate" relief for Sri Lanka when the official request was made. Earlier in the day, the President's office made the formal request to the Indian High Commission here. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, told The Hindu that he had spoken over telephone to the Indian High Commissioner, Nirupama Rao, requesting assistance. Two ships are scheduled to reach the eastern Trincomalee port and the southern Galle port tomorrow. They will be carrying four helicopters,
inflatable rafts and other equipment for carrying out relief operations
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