China thanks Lanka for earthquake relief
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Sri Lanka provided medical equipment worth over Rs. 60 million
and other material worth Rs. 50 million to the earthquake
victims of China. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama
officially handed over the items to the Chinese Ambassador to
Sri Lanka Ye Dabo at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama handed over the
relief items to the earthquake victims of Sichuan Province of China to
the Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka Ye Dabo, at the Colombo
International Airport on Saturday night (May 24) to be dispatched to
China.
The relief items which amounted approximately SLRs 120 million,
included medical equipment and medicines worth in excess of SLRs 60
million. Relief items also included over 1,250 tents, which could
accommodate over 10,000 earthquake victims to an extended length of
time, garments and tea, states a Foreign Ministry news release.
The release adds: The special flight which landed in Sichuan Province
formally handed over the relief items to the authorities in China. The
Ambassador to Sri Lanka in China too was present. The Sri Lankan
delegation consisted of the Additional Secretary to the President and
Senior Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Board of
Investment, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and medical doctors among others.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama stated at the handing over ceremony that
more humanitarian assistance to the victims of the earthquake in China
is expected from the Government and the people of Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Ye Dabo, said these relief goods
extended by the Government and the people of Sri Lanka would reflect the
profound friendship and sentiments of the Sri Lankan people to the
Chinese people. The Ambassador added that the President, Prime Minister,
Ministers, Senior Government Officials, Senior Political Leaders,
Buddhist Societies, clergy and people from all walks of life have
expressed their deep condolences over the victims of the earthquake of
May 12, 2008 in Sichuan Province.
The Ambassador referring to Sri Lanka that "A friend in need is a
friend indeed," extended his gratitude, on behalf of the Government and
the people of China to Minister Bogollagama for expeditiously organising
and dispatching these relief materials.
He also expressed the deep appreciation of the Government and the
People of China and added that "the Chinese people and the Sri Lankan
people will stand by each other and support each other in all
circumstances, because we have been true friends and good neighbours for
so many centuries".
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