First Pakistani Cargo flight with relief subsidiaries for the recent natural disaster victims in Sri Lanka arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake, yesterday (23rd May).
The Cargo Plane brought full load of C-130 aircraft carrying priority relief items as indicated by the Sri Lankan authorities.
The relief items such as generators, shelters, tents, and medicines were handed over to the Minister for Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in a solemn ceremony by the High Commissioner to Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj Gen. Syed Shakeel Hussain.
The government of Pakistan excluding their early decided modern 30-bed state-of-the-art field hospital and 17 medical doctors for providing health care assistance, has sent these relief items following a request of the Sri Lankan 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.
Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday (20th May) conveyed his condolences over flood situation and directed relevant authorities for immediate arrangements ofrelief to Sri Lanka.
High Commissioner Maj Gen. Syed Shakeel Hussain at the ceremony in BIA affirmed Pakistan’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka in any urgent requirement of flood reliefs and rehabilitation efforts.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa pointed out 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 Pakistani special flight carrying relief goods is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka today (24th May).