News
Countries rush relief aid; global response positive
View(s):The government’s call for international assistance received a positive response from the international community, with its closest South Asian neighbours, including rivals India and Pakistan, putting aside differences and working together to provide much needed assistance to the country.
Both Indian and Pakistani helicopters rescued people trapped by rising water levels and landslides. India also gave permission for Pakistan to use its airspace for humanitarian flights to Sri Lanka.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said he had requested India to allow the Pakistan flights to cross Indian airspace given the urgency of the situation and thanked both parties for their assistance.
India and Pakistan have closed their airspace to each other’s aircraft since tensions between them escalated in April.
Sri Lanka also received international humanitarian assistance from multiple countries following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with significant financial and material aid pledged for relief and recovery efforts.
More than USD 800,000 (MVR 12.3 million) was raised through the “Maldivian with Ceylon” telethon, with additional government support from the Maldives, including USD 50,000 and 25,000 cases of canned tuna, while Nepal announced USD 200,000 in financial assistance.
Bangladesh sent emergency supplies, including mosquito nets, food packs, tents and medicines, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency handed over relief items such as tents, blankets and water purifiers, alongside deploying a 31-member medical team now operating in the Chilaw area.
The United Arab Emirates sent multiple consignments of aid, including food parcels, relief bags, and rescue and utility vehicles to support ongoing operations in affected regions.
China pledged USD 1 million in financial assistance and RMB 10 million worth of emergency relief supplies, with an additional USD 100,000 through the Red Cross Society of China and USD 10 million contributed by Chinese companies and citizens in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has increased its humanitarian support to a total of £1 million (USD 1.32 million), according to the British High Commission in Colombo. The United States also pledged USD 2 million in emergency life-saving assistance to support Sri Lanka.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!