Pakistan extends support as Sri Lanka’s cyclone death toll rises to 159

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka and offered assistance as the neighboring country appealed for international help after Cyclone Ditwah left more than 159 people dead and many others missing.

Sri Lanka has reported widespread destruction, with heavy rains and floods damaging nearly 15,000 homes and forcing around 44,000 people into temporary state-run shelters, according to AFP, quoting the Disaster Management Center.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences over the loss of lives, saying Pakistan stood by the people of Sri Lanka “in this hour of grief” and was ready to extend any support needed for rescue, recovery, and relief efforts.

“We stand ready to extend any support in rescue, recovery and relief efforts as a symbol of our solidarity with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters,” the prime minister said on X (formerly Twitter).

Thousands of personnel from the army, navy, and air force have been deployed as the country faces severe flooding, landslides, and major communication disruptions.

Although the cyclone began moving away on Saturday and was heading towards India, it had already caused heavy damage across central and eastern Sri Lanka. Several remote areas remain inaccessible after landslides cut off key roads and damaged fibre optic lines.

The prime minister's offer comes after Sri Lanka issued a global appeal for aid and urged its overseas community to donate in support of nearly half a million affected people. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya also briefed Colombo-based diplomats to seek assistance from their governments.