China donates USD 1 million to Sri Lanka for flood relief

Beijing: China has provided USD 1 million in emergency assistance to Sri Lanka as the island nation struggles with severe floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said in a social media post that the Red Cross Society of China has contributed USD 100,000 (89.53645 lakhs) in emergency cash aid to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to support ongoing rescue and relief operations. State-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday that additional emergency assistance from the Chinese government is underway.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Overseas Chinese Association in Sri Lanka have launched donation initiatives, raising a total of 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately USD 32,500) for affected areas.

India, acting as a first responder, deployed two transport aircraft – a C-130 and an IL-76 – carrying paramilitary personnel and relief material under Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 29. Two urban search and rescue teams, comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel, were also sent, along with two Chetak helicopters from aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was docked in Colombo, to assist in rescue efforts.

As of Sunday, Sri Lanka has recorded 334 deaths and 370 missing persons due to the catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by extreme weather since November 16.