Chinese cargo plane delivers relief to flood-hit Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese cargo plane carrying emergency humanitarian relief arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday, which was hit by floods and landslides earlier this week.

The relief items, including tents, bed sheets, life jackets, blankets and rain boots, were handed over to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake by Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang.

Speaking at the Bandaranaike International Airport, minutes after arrival of the Air China flight, both the Sri Lankan ministers thanked China's prompt assistance to help the island nation.

"China has been ready to help us during our hour of need and we have received a lot of aid and financial support from China. These relief items which were received today will be distributed to the affected families in five districts which were the worst hit," Minister Yapa said.

Foreign Minister Karunanayake, while thanking the Chinese government and its people on behalf of the Sri Lankan government and people, said China had responded spontaneously when Sri Lanka called for help.

"We requested the international community and China was there as a ready friend. They have been with us right throughout and have been assisting us at this hour of need," Karunanayake said.

The minister said that to date, 211 people had been killed since severe rains from May 26 caused floods and landslides in many districts.

Ambassador Yi said the Chinese government and people stood ready to assist and support Sri Lanka during this time of need.

He said China will continue to support and provide the best to Sri Lanka. "China will always stand up for Sri Lanka even during difficult times," the ambassador said.