Sri Lanka offers China aid after quake

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka on Tuesday offered medical assistance to China after a powerful earthquake struck Yunnan province in Southwest China over the weekend which left nearly 400 people dead, the External Affairs Ministry said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a condolence message to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping expressing a deep sense of shock and sadness over the quake which resulted in a large number of deaths and massive destruction of property.

"The Government and People of Sri Lanka join me in conveying deepest condolences and sympathies to members of the bereaved families and all those whose lives have been affected by this devastating natural disaster. The thoughts and prayers of the people of Sri Lanka are with the people of China particularly those who have been injured, during this difficult time," the president said.

He said that given the extensive number of those injured, as a gesture of solidarity and goodwill, the Government of Sri Lanka stands ready to extend medical assistance to the people of China.

"Under your able leadership, I am confident that the Chinese people would be able to overcome the challenges, with their innate fortitude and courage," the president added.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Zhaotong city in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Sunday. According to official statistics, the death toll had risen to 398, while more than 1,800 people were injured.