ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday dispatched 200 tons of humanitarian assistance to flood-ravaged Sri Lanka, despite delays caused by the Indian government, the Foreign Office said.
According to a foreign office statement, the relief shipment was sent by sea to support Sri Lanka’s response to the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Earlier, the foreign office reported that a Pakistan Air Force aircraft carrying aid had been held for more than 60 hours while awaiting flight clearance from India.
A send-off ceremony in Islamabad was attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral (Retd) Fred Senevirathne, and senior officials from the foreign office and National Disaster Management Authority.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka,” the foreign office said.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and widespread devastation. Speaking by telephone with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s “complete solidarity with Sri Lanka during this most challenging situation.”
According to Radio Pakistan, the premier recalled Pakistan’s own vulnerability to climate-induced disasters and praised the swift response of Sri Lankan authorities and rescue teams. He informed President Dissanayake that Pakistan was immediately dispatching urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
The Sri Lankan president thanked PM Sharif for Pakistan’s “expression of solidarity” and appreciated that Pakistan was among the first nations to respond to the crisis.
In a separate review meeting on relief operations, the prime minister directed all institutions to provide full support. He added that Pakistan would also assist in rehabilitation and reconstruction once rescue operations conclude.
Pakistan’s Urban Search and Rescue team is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka on Thursday, with additional supplies to be shipped via commercial cargo vessels.
The foreign office said India had issued partial clearance for one of the consignments after a 48-hour delay, but the authorization remained “operationally impractical.”
Sri Lanka is battling one of its worst flooding disasters in recent years. Heavy rains fueled by Cyclone Ditwah caused the Kelani River to overflow, inundating large parts of Colombo and surrounding districts.
Of the 355 confirmed deaths, 257 were reported from the central tea-growing highlands, while 366 people remain missing, according to official figures.
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