COLOMBO, 23 MAY (DNA) – The First Cargo flight of relief goods from Pakistan, for the victims of the recent devastating floods, landslides and torrential rains in Sri Lanka, arrived today at Bandaranaike International Airport Katunayake.

The Pakistani Cargo Plane brought full load of C-130 aircraft carrying 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 HE Maj Gen ® Syed Shakeel Hussain to the Sri Lankan Minister for Disaster Management Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa M.P, in a solemn ceremony.

Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management S. S. Miyanawala, other senior officials of 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 20th May 2016, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad 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

While speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s High Commissioner reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to assist Sri Lanka during its relief and rehabilitation efforts. HE Maj. Gen. (R) Syed Shakeel 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.

Sri Lankan Minister for Disaster Management Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa M.P 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. DNA