Sri Lanka on Monday received the second consignment of 1,000 tons of rice from China, to be distributed to the drought struck victims in the island country, Xinhua reported.
At the request of the Sri Lankan government, China has agreed to donate 2,752 tons of rice for humanitarian emergency relief. The first consignment of 1,000 tons of rice arrived in Sri Lanka in November while the second consignment arrived on Monday.
Officials said the third and final consignment with the remaining 752 tone would reach Colombo before the end of December. The consignment was accepted by officials at the Disaster Management Ministry in Colombo.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, said Sri Lanka had this year experienced the worst drought in recent years with over 1 million people affected in 11 districts. Most of the lands affected were agricultural lands which could not continue to be used for agricultural purposes now.
He said China had been prompt in helping Sri Lanka and this donation further strengthened the strong friendship between the two countries. Sri Lanka has been suffering one of its worst droughts in 40 years due to a delay in monsoonal rains.
The United States has told Sri Lanka that the disposition of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Bushehr and its crew is a matter for Colombo to resolve under its own laws and international obligations, while signalling it is in active talks with Sri Lanka to contain Iran’s threat to US interests.
The government today granted permission for an Iranian warship with 208 on board to enter the country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism today established a 24x7 Emergency Response Unit to coordinate matters related to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
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