Bangladeshi emergency aid reaches cyclone-ravaged Sri Lanka

Emergency humanitarian assistance from Bangladesh reached Sri Lanka on Wednesday to help the island nation cope with the devastating impact of cyclone-triggered floods and landslides.

Acting on directives from the Chief Adviser, an Air Force aircraft transported relief supplies to Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport around 1:30pm Bangladesh time, said a foreign ministry’s press release.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias formally handed over the aid to Sri Lankan authorities. Air Commodore Mohammad Shahidul Islam supervised the entire mission, the ISPR said in a separate press release. The aircraft is set to leave for Bangladesh on the same day, it added.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan government requested the Bangladeshi High Commission in Colombo to arrange for emergency relief support.

The C-130J transport aircraft had a 15-member crew from the Air Force and a representative each from the Armed Forces Division and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The total 10-tonne consignment included dry food items, mosquito nets, tents, recue helmets, gumboots, protective vests, hand gloves for rescue personnel, torch lights, essential medicines, and other emergency materials.

The Sri Lankan government expressed sincere gratitude to Bangladesh for the timely support.

Cyclone Ditwah and subsequent flooding have so far claimed around 480 lives, while around 300 remain missing.

Large areas of the country were severely damaged, and significant portions remain submerged.