A staff member of China Machinery Engineering Corporation (1st L) donates relief goods in Yabaraluwa village near Colombo, Sri lanka, May 30, 2017. Chinese nationals and companies in Sri Lanka have begun donations to assist thousands of victims who had been affected by severe floods and landslides. (Xinhua/Huang Haimin)
COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka have begun donations to assist thousands of victims who had been affected by severe floods and landslides which have killed 183 people to date.
The three-day donation starting from Monday was co-organized by the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association (SLOCA), Asia Pacific Daily and New Silk Route Culture Broadcast.
SLOCA President Zhang Hong said Chinese in Sri Lanka had come forward to help the Sri Lankan people who were facing a disaster.
"This once again outlines the strong and traditional friendship shared between China and Sri Lanka. I hope these donations can be sent to the hands of the victims as soon as possible to help them rebuild their homes," Zhang said.
Severe rains and strong winds since Thursday have caused major floods and deadly landslides in several districts of the island country which has so far killed 183 people.
According to the latest figures released by the Disaster Management Center, 112 people continued to be treated at state hospitals while over 545,000 people had been affected.
Over 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe shelters.
The heavy rains also caused flooding in some of the ongoing development projects including some Chinese projects.
Tri forces along with rescue teams are conducting search and rescue operations in many of the flooded districts while teams continued to distribute relief materials.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena who visited Rtanapura in southern Sri Lanka on Monday ordered authorities to provide immediate relief to the victims of the disaster.
