Pakistan airlifts relief supplies to Sri Lanka landslide victims

The first cargo of relief materials worth Sri Lankan rupees 100 million from Pakistan for the landslide victims of Sri Lanka arrived in Colombo on Tuesday. Goods for the victims of Haldummulla landslide reached today, the Pakistani High Commission said.

The material consisted of generators, shelters, tents, medicines. In his condolence message, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had conveyed to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa his country's willingness to assist the Island nation in any manner to meet the urgent requirements of relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif also had a telephonic conversation with his Sri Lankan counterpart Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake to express his sympathies and to assess the assistance required.
The second special plane carrying relief goods is expected to arrive tomorrow.

The landslide struck on October 29, triggered by heavy rains and wiped out 120 workers' homes at the Meeriabedda tea estate in the central Badulla district.

Initial reports suggesting over 200 people might have been buried alive receded as information emerged that some residents sensing danger had evacuated themselves. The police said less than 40 people remain missing.