The Government of Bangladesh has sent emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah triggered flash floods and landslides across the country, leaving at least 334 people dead and around 200 missing.
According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, more than 20,000 homes have been damaged and 123,000 people have taken shelter at government-run facilities.
The Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency and appealed to the international community for urgent support.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also formally requested the Bangladesh High Commission to send food, medical supplies, and other relief items.
A Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft left for Colombo on Wednesday with a 15-member BAF crew, one representative from the Armed Forces Division, and another from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The mission, operating under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is led by Air Commodore Mohammad Sahidul Islam.
The aircraft carried around 10 tons of relief materials, including tents, dry food, mosquito nets, torchlights, gumboots, vests, hand gloves, rescue helmets, and a large quantity of medicines.
The C-130J is scheduled to return to Bangladesh later the same day after completing the delivery.
The Bangladesh Armed Forces expressed hope that the relief assistance would help ease the suffering of people affected by the disaster in Sri Lanka.
They reiterated their commitment to supporting global humanitarian needs in line with government directives.
