New Zealand offers support for landslide relief efforts

At a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning, New Zealand’s Minister of Primary Industries and Racing Nathan Guy, on behalf of his Government, offered support to Sri Lanka for relief efforts following the landslide in Koslanda last week. 

“We offer our condolences for the landslides,” Guy said. “We stand ready and able to assist if you need some assistance from New Zealand.” Guy is in Sri Lanka with a business delegation to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. 

On another topic of discussion, President Rajapaksa has already officially been invited to attend the Cricket World Cup, which New Zealand is co-hosting with Australia in February 2015. Guy reiterated this invitation and encouraged the President to attend the opening game against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place in Christchurch. 

Meanwhile, the first cargo flight of relief goods from Pakistan for the land slide victims of Haldummula arrived today at Katunayake airport.

The relief goods containing generators, shelters, tents, medicines, etc. were handed over by the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj Qasim Qureshi to the Sri Lankan Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen E.M.M. Ambanpola.