Sri Lanka offers relief aid to Myanmar after floods

On the request of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena has approved a cash contribution of USD 25,000 to be presented to the Government of Myanmar as relief aid, following the devastation to life and property caused by the recent floods in the country, the Foreign Ministry said today.

The Foreign Ministry said that the contribution was handed over to U Min Thein Zan, the Ambassador of Myanmar in Sri Lanka, by Foreign Secretary Chitranganee Wagiswara, on behalf of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, at a simple ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

The contribution by the Sri Lankan Government is made as a gesture of solidarity with the Government and the people of Myanmar in their hour of need, to help with the immediate challenges faced by the flood victims.? It is made in response to an appeal by the Government of Myanmar for international assistance for flood victims.

The Government of Sri Lanka earlier expressed its condolences to the Government and the people of Myanmar over the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the floods, while reiterating its solidarity and support with the Government and the people of Myanmar.

Sri Lanka and Myanmar enjoy longstanding friendly relations, reinforced by shared religious and cultural links spanning several centuries. (Colombo Gazette)