Pakistan hands over first consignment of relief items for SL flood victims

Minister for Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Shakeel Hussain along with Pakistani relief goods

The first cargo flight of relief goods from Pakistanfor the victims of the recent devastating floods, landslides and torrential rains in Sri Lankaarrived yesterday at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

The Pakistani cargo plane C-130 aircraft carried a full load of priority relief items indicated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

The relief items containing generators, shelters, tents, medicines, etc. were handed over by the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Syed Shakeel Hussain to Minister for Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in a solemn ceremony.

Ministry of Disaster Management SecretaryS. S. Miyanawala, other senior officials of the Sri Lankan Government and Air Force as well as officers of the High Commission were also present at the ceremony.

Initially, the Government of Pakistan had decided to send a modern 30-bed state-of-the-art field hospital as well as 17 medical doctors for providing health care assistance, however, on the advice of the Sri Lankan Government, the Government of Pakistan excluded the field hospital and has only sent the relief items as requested by the Sri Lanka Government.

Floods and landslides caused by torrential rains with gale force winds in Sri Lanka have left 71 people dead, 127 missing, and over 319,000 displaced from homes while over a 427,000 people are affected by the adverse weather.

On Friday 20May, the Prime Minister of PakistanMuhammad Nawaz Sharif while conveying his condolences to the Government and people of Sri Lanka, directed the relevant authorities to make immediate arrangements for provision of emergency relief goods to the flood victims in Sri Lanka

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s High Commissioner reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to assist Sri Lanka during its relief and rehabilitation efforts. Hussain affirmed that Pakistan is ready to assist Sri Lanka in any way to meet its urgent requirements in relief and rehabilitation efforts.   He said that the people and Government of Pakistan stand with the brotherly people of Sri Lanka at this time of grief.

Yapa said that Pakistan has been a close and steadfast ally of Sri Lanka throughout the history. He said that Pakistan has always been amongst the first who come and support the people and Government of Sri Lanka. He also conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka for the assistance extended by Pakistan in Sri Lanka’s hour of need.

The second special flight carrying relief goods is expected to arrive today.​