Lanka’s relief and rescue operations concludes in Nepal

The Sri Lankan Contingent returned home on Monday night after concluding its relief work during the two-week rescue and relief operation in Nepal following the earthquake on April 25, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Nepal authorities have warmly commended the Sri Lanka contingent led by Maj. Gen. Maithri Dias and Brig. Jagath Gunawardena. The 141-strong Sri Lankan contingent was specifically tasked for relief work in the difficult region of Dolaghat and other areas in the Kavre district, in Nepal. The team had travelled deep into villages which are located in hills ranging from 1500m – 2200m to treat patients and to clear roads. In the midst of frequent aftershocks, and danger of landslides, the Sri Lankan team travelled distances up to 20 km a day to reach the needy, and the Medical Corps had treated over 2442 patients. Gen. Rana has instructed the Nepalese staff officers to note the methods and plans being executed by the Sri Lankan contingent. The Unit in close coordination with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador W.M. Senewirathne and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kathmandu coordinated repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals who wished to return to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the earthquake and ensured the timely dispatch to Nepal of personnel, emergency relief in Sri Lanka Air Force and SriLankan Airlines flights. A total number of over 75 Sri Lankans were repatriated in several flights. Over 50 tonnes of relief items including, medicines, food stuff, tents, clothes, footwear, water and other essentials from the Government, and Sri Lankan public and private institutions were dispatched. Monetary contributions received from private institutions and the Sri Lankan public will be utilized for the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase. The rapid response and relief operations in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal is the first of its kind undertaken overseas by a Sri Lankan contingent, thus launching a new phase in Sri Lanka’s role in rapid disaster response in the region.