China has pledged its full support to Sri Lanka’s economic and social recovery efforts in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, expressing confidence in the country’s rapid recovery under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership.

Wang Dongming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, conveyed this assurance during a meeting with President Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting took place as part of Wang’s official visit to Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division said.

“The Chinese Government and people are deeply saddened by the disaster and acted swiftly to provide relief assistance,” Wang said.

He said that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen longstanding economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

President Dissanayake thanked China for its immediate response and support, including material and financial assistance for communities affected by the cyclone. He also requested technical assistance from the Chinese Government, specifically for the restoration and reconstruction of Sri Lanka’s damaged railway network.

Briefing the Chinese delegation on the disaster situation and recovery efforts, the President said the government’s immediate priorities include rescue operations, relocation of affected individuals, and provision of essential services such as food and healthcare. He added that a structured programme is now underway to restore livelihoods and return life to normalcy in impacted areas.

The Chinese delegation included senior officials such as Lu Xinshe, Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, and Wang Ke, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Deputy Head of the China–Sri Lanka Friendship Group. Also in attendance were Tan TianXing, Tang Jian, Yang Yin, Sha Long, and Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary Roshan Gamage were also present.

SL Ambassador among those who presented their credentials

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Himalee Arunatilaka, who is concurrently accredited to the Holy See, presented credentials to Pope Leo XIV, at a ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace, in the Vatican, on 06 December, 2025. The ceremony was attended by high officials of the Vatican where non-resident Ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Moldova, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Liberia, Thailand, Lesotho, South Africa, Fiji, Micronesia, Latvia and Finland presented credentials.

The text of the press release issued by the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the Holy See Geneva: “Welcoming the newly accredited Ambassadors to the Holy See during the Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Leo XIV highlighted that ” peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but an active and demanding gift”, which is all the more urgent “as geopolitical tension and fragmentation continued to deepen”. The Holy Father further affirmed that “the Holy See will not be a silent bystander to the grave disparities, injustices, and fundamental human rights violations”. He emphasised the need to be attentive to those in poor and vulnerable situations or are “pushed to the margins of society”.

The Pope underlined that constructive relations between the Holy See and the respective nations of the newly appointed Ambassadors, can help in addressing these concerns, and expressed the hope that such cooperation will contribute to “a renewed spirit of multilateral engagement at a moment when it is sorely needed, revitalising those international bodies established to resolve disputes among nations.”

Ambassador Arunatilaka conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and sought that the Holy Father keeps Sri Lanka in his prayers as the country recovers from the disaster situation following Cyclone Ditwah.

On the sidelines of the credentials ceremony, separate meetings were held with Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Paroline, and Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallager. During these meetings Ambassador Arunatilaka briefed on the scale of the destruction caused by the cyclone, while also acknowledging the humanitarian assistance provided by the Catholic Church, through Caritas Sri Lanka.

Migration, disarmament and inter-religious dialogue were highlighted as issues of common interest and concern in the bilateral relations.

Archbishop Gallager recalled with appreciation the high-level engagements in Sri Lanka and the warm hospitality accorded, during his visit to Sri Lanka in November 2025 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See.

Pakistan, on Monday, handed over a sea consignment of 200 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the long-standing friendship and strong bilateral ties between the two countries, officials said.

The assistance was provided following special directives from the Prime Minister of Pakistan and forms part of Pakistan’s ongoing humanitarian response to support Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

The latest consignment, dispatched by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), arrived at the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) at the Port of Colombo. It includes family tents, blankets, quilts, life jackets, inflatable boats, de-watering pumps, camping lamps, mosquito nets, bubble mats, milk powder, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and essential medicines to assist cyclone-affected communities.

The aid builds on Pakistan’s earlier relief efforts, which included the deployment of Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying emergency supplies, search-and-rescue equipment and specialised Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams. A Pakistan Navy ship, along with its onboard helicopter, also participated in relief and rescue operations in coordination with the Sri Lankan Armed Forces following the cyclone.

Earlier, the Prime Minister of Pakistan held a telephone conversation with the President of Sri Lanka to convey condolences over the loss of lives and to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to continued assistance. In addition, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, paid a two-day visit to Sri Lanka last week to reiterate Pakistan’s support for the country’s recovery efforts.

The handover ceremony at the Colombo Port was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral S.J. Kumara, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz, formally handed over the relief consignment to Sri Lankan authorities. He said the assistance was a tangible expression of the goodwill and enduring friendship of the Pakistani people towards Sri Lanka, adding that Pakistan remained ready to extend further support if required.