COLOMBO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday appreciated the assistance by a Chinese rescue team in providing relief and aid to thousands of flood affected families in the country.
Sirisena was on an inspection tour in the areas affected by the recent floods and landslides in the Kalutara district when he met with the Chinese 'Blue Sky Rescue Team' who are currently on ground, assisting Sri Lankan troops in conducting cleaning operations and providing medical aid.
Sirisena visited the tents put up by the Chinese team and inquired on the progress of the relief situation. He appreciated the work of the team.
Sirisena last week thanked China for its strong support in assisting Sri Lanka during this hour of need and appreciated the aid provided.
Last week three Chinese naval ships and a Chinese charter flight arrived in the country with humanitarian aid estimated at 2.2 million U.S. dollars for the affected victims.
So far at least 224 people have been killed and over 600,000 affected by the worst flooding and landslides to hit the country since 2003.
Over 100,000 people who were displaced are now returning home after troops and rescue teams have cleaned towns and villages which were inundated.
