Three Chinese navy ships arrived in the Port of Colombo on Wednesday to assist in the ongoing relief operations after major floods and landslides caused by severe rains killed over 200 people in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement on Thursday.
The three Chinese Navy ships - "Chang Chun," "Jing Zhou," and "Chao Hu" - were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Chinese navy officers called on Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Ravindra Wijegunaratne and handed over relief materials which included rice, flour, bottled water, instant noodles, 10 rescue rubber boats and medical supplies.
The Chinese navy will also dispatch 16 doctors as part of a rescue team to conduct medical assistance in flood-affected areas.
The Sri Lankan Navy commander thanked the Chinese government, the people and the Chinese Navy for the assistance rendered to Sri Lanka during this hour of grief.
"These relief goods will help a lot in the disaster relief," he said.
He further said the Sri Lanka and Chinese navies had established close cooperation which has only been further strengthened.
Shen Hao, the visiting Chinese navy ship commander, said the Chinese Navy had tried its best to provide materials and medicines required in the flood affected areas.
He hoped the relief materials and assistance would help Sri Lanka overcome the disaster.
During the visit, sailors of the two navies will carry out a series of visits and exchanges as well as friendly matches and other activities.
The three Chinese Navy ships will open to the representatives of local people, local overseas Chinese and Sri Lankan sailors.
