President Orders Humanitarian Contribution as Death and Destruction From Catastrophic Floods Stun the Himalayan Nation
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka will provide US$1 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal following devastating floods and landslides that have caused widespread destruction, displacement and a heavy loss of life.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed the Government to make the contribution as an expression of Sri Lanka’s solidarity with Nepal, with the money intended to support immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the disaster.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has also spoken with his Nepalese counterpart Shisir Khanal, conveying Sri Lanka’s condolences and offering support as Nepal struggles with the aftermath of one of the region’s most serious recent natural disasters.
The tragedy has particular resonance across South Asia. Nepal and Sri Lanka share longstanding diplomatic and cultural links, including their common Buddhist heritage, while Nepal remains a destination for Sri Lankan pilgrims and travellers.
Sri Lanka was also among several countries which offered search-and-rescue assistance. Nepal said Friday, however, that its own security agencies were presently handling the operation and that foreign rescue teams were not required.
For Sri Lanka, itself only recently emerging from a foreign-exchange crisis in which every dollar became precious, committing US$1 million abroad is not insignificant.
There are nevertheless moments when national balance sheets must make room for something rather more human.
Nepal needs help. Sri Lanka has decided to help.
Be that as it may, friendship between countries is perhaps best measured not by what is said when everything is going well, but by who turns up when everything has gone terribly wrong.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry confirms the US$1 million contribution and says it was directed by the President. Reuters reports that Sri Lanka was also among the countries offering rescue assistance, which Nepal has for now declined because its own agencies are conducting the operation.
