President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed shock and sadness regarding the loss of life, injuries and devastation caused by a series of earthquakes in Turkey.

The Head of State has extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka to the government and the people of Turkey, especially the families of the bereaved, wishing them a speedy recovery.

President Wickremesinghe reiterated Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

Accordingly, Sri Lanka Army says preparations have been made to send a contingent of 300 military personnel to assist the search and rescue operations in quake-hit Turkey where more than more than 3,300 people were killed, a further 20,426 were injured and 5,775 buildings collapsed.

The new tally has brought the death combined death toll in Turkey and neighbouring Syria to over 4,800. The figure is likely to keep rising.

Sri Lanka Army spokesperson, Brigadier Ravi Herath said the decision was taken based on the directives of the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The military contingent, headed by a major general, consists of medical officers and engineering corps officers of the Sri Lanka Army.

Brigadier Hearth noted that this military contingent stands to be dispatched to quake-hit Turkey upon the request of the Embassy of Turkey in Colombo.

Meanwhile, India has sent search and rescue teams, along with relief supplies to Turkey. The first batch of the teams has left for Turkey with medical supplies, trained dog squads, drilling machines and other necessary equipment.