India's first military involvement in Sri Lanka was in 1971 against the JVP after the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government asked for help. India's helicopters ferried arms to government forces. Unlike the IPKF, this Indian operation was subtle and effective. It's been overshadowed in the historical record by the Bangladesh war later that year. Saeed Naqvi, who covered the war in Sri Lanka for the Statesman recently wrote about it https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/300522/a-forgotten-story-of-1971-when-indias-frigate-helicopters-troops.html
Thanks for the insights- India@UNPK & Rohan Wijeweera
India's first military involvement in Sri Lanka was in 1971 against the JVP after the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government asked for help. India's helicopters ferried arms to government forces. Unlike the IPKF, this Indian operation was subtle and effective. It's been overshadowed in the historical record by the Bangladesh war later that year. Saeed Naqvi, who covered the war in Sri Lanka for the Statesman recently wrote about it https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/300522/a-forgotten-story-of-1971-when-indias-frigate-helicopters-troops.html