A comprehensive task force of 80 Indian Army personnel, including four officers, left for Sri Lanka on Thursday to participate in rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts underway in the tsunami-hit island nation.

The task force, which left from Jodhpur, is expected to become operational from Friday, a spokesman of army's southern command said in Pune.

• Tsunami relief: Small change but big hearts | Toll mounts to 1,18,000

The members of the taskforce have undergone specialised training as paramedics, masons, plumbers, carpenters etc, the official said.

The taskforce will operate from ships, which will be anchored close to regions needing help, the spokesman added.