Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his profound grief over the devastating loss of life and widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. In a telephonic conversation with President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake today, he reaffirmed that Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka during this most challenging situation.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Sri Lanka, especially the bereaved families who had lost their loved ones in the catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands across the island. He commended the swift response of the Sri Lankan authorities, military, and rescue teams in conducting relief operations under challenging conditions.
Shehbaz Sharif conveyed to the Sri Lankan President that, as a gesture of support, Pakistan was immediately dispatching urgently needed humanitarian assistance to assist the people of Sri Lanka in recovering from the devastation caused by this natural disaster. On his part, the Sri Lankan President thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s expression of solidarity with the Sri Lankan nation at this difficult time, as well as for the provision of generous humanitarian assistance. Anura Kumara Dissanayake appreciated that Pakistan was among the first countries to respond in the wake of the cyclone.
While recalling their previous meetings, the two leaders also expressed their shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across all spheres. Meanwhile, in a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s full solidarity with Sri Lanka as a neighbor and brotherly country, especially in moments of grief. He said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called him this evening, and he conveyed his deepest sorrow over the tragic loss of life and property due to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and commended the swift and courageous efforts of Sri Lankan authorities and rescue teams in these extremely difficult conditions. Shehbaz Sharif affirmed that Pakistan is immediately dispatching urgently needed humanitarian assistance to support Sri Lankan brothers and sisters and will continue to offer whatever help is possible as Sri Lanka recovers from this calamity.