• Source:JND
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Pakistan has landed in an awkward diplomatic situation after Sri Lankan authorities discovered that part of the emergency relief shipped by Islamabad contained expired medical items and unusable food packets.

The consignment, sent as support following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, was flagged by disaster management officials soon after arrival. According to senior officials in Colombo, several cartons were found to be past their expiry dates, prompting immediate concern within both the Disaster Management Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sri Lanka has allegedly conveyed its displeasure to Pakistan through diplomatic channels, describing the incident as “deeply troubling” at a time when the country is battling its worst natural disaster in decades.

Social Media Outrage Grows

The discovery raises questions about the quality and seriousness of Pakistan’s humanitarian efforts. Social media users sharply criticised the lapse, calling it “an insult” and a “joke of aid diplomacy”. Many urged the government to demand an explanation from Islamabad.

This is not the first time Pakistan’s relief supplies have triggered controversy. In 2015, during the Nepal earthquake, Islamabad faced backlash for sending beef-based ready-to-eat meals to the Hindu-majority nation.

Cyclone Ditwah Leaves Trail Of Destruction

The criticism comes as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with catastrophic flooding and landslides. More than 366 people have been killed, nearly 400 remain missing, and close to a million have been affected across all 25 districts. Thousands of homes, roads, and bridges have been damaged or destroyed, while agricultural losses are estimated to run into billions of rupees.

Authorities warn that intermittent rainfall may persist across several provinces, even as rescue teams struggle to reach remote areas.

Amid the crisis, India has emerged as Sri Lanka’s largest and fastest responder. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a phone call with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, conveyed condolences and reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to supporting rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

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Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Indian Navy ships, Air Force aircraft, and NDRF teams have been deployed across several affected zones. The IAF helicopter IFC 1875 rescued 57 stranded residents on Monday, while additional consignments of relief material continue to reach Colombo. President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s swift response, calling it “a lifeline during an unprecedented disaster”.

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As Sri Lanka battles the overwhelming impact of Cyclone Ditwah, the expired-aid controversy has added an awkward diplomatic layer, one Colombo says could have been avoided with basic due diligence.

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