Bangladesh hands over first consignment of relief to Sri Lanka

The first consignment of relief materials sent from Bangladesh arrived in Sri Lanka 27 May (Friday). A special flight, Bangladesh Air Force aircraft C-130 carrying the relief materials arrived at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake near Colombo in afternoon today. Bangladesh High Commissioner Tarik Ahsan formally handed over the relief materials to the Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management of Sri Lanka, S. S. Miyanawala in a simple ceremony at the airport. The handing over ceremony was attended by Base Commander, Air Commodore Sagara Kotakadenia, Defence Adviser of Bangladesh High Commission, Commodore Parvez, Counsellor of Bangladesh High Commission, Maleka Parveen, Bangladesh Defence Officers coming in the flight, other officials, and representatives of the media. 

In his speech, Secretary of the Sri Lankan Disaster Management Ministry profusely thanked the Bangladesh government for sending the relief materials. He added that the well-chosen items of relief would be very appropriate for the flood victims of Sri Lanka. Bangladesh High Commissioner said that he felt privileged to hand over the relief materials sent by Bangladesh government at the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for friendly people Sri Lanka affected by the devastating floods and landslides. He remarked that this gesture at a time when Bangladesh herself was recovering from cyclone Rouanu demonstrates a special affinity that Bangladesh has for the brotherly and sisterly people of Sri Lanka.

This first consignment contained about 9 tons of relief materials and pieces of equipment,  that included tents, bottled water, water purifiers, generators, torch lights, mosquito nets, rain coats, clothes, etc.Further consignments of relief materials based on the updated requirement of flood victims are expected to come in the next few days.

Earlier, the government of Bangladesh decided to send Taka 100 million worth of relief materials to help Sri Lanka tackle the situation arising from the floods and landslides of unprecedented scale. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also sent a message of condolence to President Maithripala Sirisena on the loss of lives, property and displacement of people caused by the disaster, and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s solidarity and support for the government as well as for the people of Sri Lanka.