Pakistan Dispatches Rescue Team to Sri Lanka

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad facilitated the departure of a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) C-130 aircraft carrying a rescue team from Pakistan to Sri Lanka to assist communities affected by the recent cyclone and severe weather conditions in the country.

Under the patronage of the Government of Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in coordination with the Pakistan Armed Forces, deployed an Army Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team aboard a PAF C-130 aircraft on 03 December 2025 at 0700 hours. A send-off ceremony was held earlier at 0600 hours at Noor Khan Airbase.

The ceremony was attended by the Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary; the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne; and the President of NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, along with senior officials from the High Commission, NDMA, and the defence forces.

In his address at the ceremony, High Commissioner Senevirathne expressed deep appreciation for the timely decision of the Government of Pakistan to dispatch a rescue team to Sri Lanka, describing it as a remarkable gesture of solidarity and friendship during a difficult period. He further noted that, in addition to the rescue team, the consignments of relief items will be transported via Sri Lankan Airlines from Lahore in the following days.

The High Commissioner conveyed his sincere gratitude to the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Pakistan Air Force, and, most importantly, the people of Pakistan for their swift support and cooperation. He reaffirmed that the strong and enduring friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is especially evident in times of humanitarian need.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad will continue to coordinate closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the smooth delivery and distribution of relief assistance.

High Commission of Sri Lanka
Islamabad
03 December 2025