Colombo, Dec 11 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka, on Monday received the second consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice from China, to be distributed to the drought struck victims in the island country.
At the request of the Sri Lankan government, China has agreed to donate 2752 metric tonnes of rice for humanitarian emergency relief. Out of this donation, 1000 metric tonnes of rice had arrived in Sri Lanka in November while the second consignment of a further 1000 metric ton arrived on Monday.
Officials said that the third and final consignment with the remaining 752 metric tone would reach Colombo before the end of December.
The consignment was accepted by officials at the Disaster Management Ministry in Colombo.
Speaking at the previous rice handing over ceremony, Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, said Sri Lanka had this year experienced the worst drought in recent years with over 1 million people affected in 11 districts.
He said most of the lands affected were agricultural lands which could not continue to be used for agricultural purposes now.
He said China had been prompt in helping Sri Lanka and said this donation further strengthened the strong friendship between the two countries.
Sri Lanka has been suffering one of its worst droughts in 40 years due to a delay in monsoonal rains and poor rainfall in the drought affected areas.
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