Japan dispatches Disaster Relief Team to assist flood relief

Following the request of Sri Lankan government,Japan decided to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Expert Team to Sri Lanka yesterday in response to the damages from the floods and landslides caused by the heavy rainfall since May 24 around Southern and Western areas of the country, a statement from Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry said. The team will depart for Sri Lanka on June 2.

"Upon the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, and in light of the friendly relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, Japan decided to provide emergency assistance to Sri Lanka to meet its humanitarian needs," the statement said.

Since May 24, the floods and landslides caused by the heavy rainfall around Southern and Western areas of the country resulted in a large number of those affected including the loss of lives, and much physical damage. As of May 31, 202 people died, 96 people have been missing, and about 630 thousands people have been affected.