Lankan students in Sichuan ‘safe’

The 25 Sri Lankan students attending Sichuan Medical University, in the earthquake-devastated province of Sichuan, China, are out of danger, according to the Sri Lanka High Commission in China, Foreign Ministry sources said. The High Commission had this reassurance from the Chinese Scholarship Council.

Several media reports had said the Sri Lankan students were stranded in the earthquake zone. The Chinese Scholarship Council, however, has confirmed that all foreign students, including Sri Lankans, were safe and unhurt.

Thousands have died in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake last Monday that shook Sichuan province, in south-western China. The death toll so far is placed at more than 22,000, but it is feared that up to 50,000 may be dead.

The earthquake is the worst to hit China in more than three decades.