Sri Lanka : requests Chinese assistance to repair rail lines and bridges destroyed by cyclones

Sri Lanka : On Monday, Sri Lanka demanded immediate help from China to repair railroad lines and bridges destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah.

In addition to generating extensive floods, landslides, and serious infrastructure collapse, the typhoon that struck the island nation in November put a tremendous strain on the government’s ability to respond to disasters.

During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath demanded immediate help in repairing train lines and bridges that had been destroyed by the hurricane.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, he also asked China to provide EV charging stations since Sri Lanka has observed a rise in the importation of Chinese EVs.

The Chinese delegation pledged to support Sri Lanka’s recovery and reconstruction.

China donated USD 1 million in cash and 10 million Yuan in emergency supplies in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society received a USD 100,000 donation for relief efforts from the Chinese Red Cross Society.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Colombo reports that since November 16, landslides, floods, and rains have wreaked havoc across Sri Lanka, killing up to 638 people and leaving 175 unaccounted for.