Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang on Thursday called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to forward condolence letters from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, respectively.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, the Chinese leaders extended sympathy and condolences to the government and people of Sri Lanka on the tragic loss of life and property following the heavy rains that led to severe flooding and landslides around the island.
The Chinese side believed that under the leadership of President Sirisena and the Sri Lankan government, Sri Lankan people will surely conquer the disaster and rebuild the homes at the earliest date.
The Chinese government announced 1.5 million U.S. dollars (around 218 million Sri Lanka rupee) emergency humanitarian cash assistance to the Sri Lankan side, and would continue to provide necessary assistance within its capacity for the relief and reconstruction work according to the requests of the Sri Lankan side.
At least 102 people have been killed and over 600,000 people affected by the disaster which was recorded as one of the worst in Sri Lanka's history.
