Sri Lankan official calls on UAE residents to help cyclone-stricken survivors

UAE residents are being asked to support storm-stricken Sri Lanka, which is inundated by its worst flooding in decades after being devastated by Cyclone Ditwah.

Alexi Gunasekera, Sri Lanka’s consul general in Dubai, issued the rallying call after more than 400 people were killed, with at least 330 missing across the island.

Mr Gunasekera said he hoped all nationalities in the Emirates would come forward to support Sri Lanka by sending essential supplies, and helping to rebuild infrastructure, agriculture and water supply – among the sectors devastated in catastrophic landslides and floods triggered by the cyclone.

“We first need immediate relief for the needy and we also need support to rebuild agricultural projects, irrigation work and roads that are completely damaged,” Mr Gunasekera told The National in an interview on Tuesday.

Satellite images reveal scale of floods in Sri Lanka as the UAE's Sheikh Mohamed orders rescue operation 01:14

“The UAE has more than 200 nationalities living here and we ask all expats to come forward. If people working in the UAE can support Sri Lanka that can make a big difference.

"We have mobilised Sri Lankans living in the UAE to help but if companies, associations and expats from other countries support us that will be substantive," he added. "I would like all expats to hear my message. This is how you can come forward to show solidarity with Sri Lanka during this hardship.”

The Sri Lankan embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai have posted a list of items, including folding beds, first-aid kits, gloves, mosquito nets, mattresses, raincoats, tarpaulin sheets, rechargeable torches, safety helmets and mobile toilets that the government in Colombo said were required urgently. The aid required will be regularly updated on the consulate’s Facebook page.

The consulate in Dubai will be open for 24 hours a day until December 7, so people can drop off essential items.