Pakistan Navy ship Zulfiquar reached Sri Lanka on Tuesday to deliver relief goods and assist in the search and rescue missions, on the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sri Lanka has recently experienced most severe floods since 2003, in 14 districts causing loss of 180 precious lives with 110 missing and more than 547,000 persons displaced, read a Foreign Office statement.

The Sri Lankan government has called for relief and rescue assistance.

In view of the heavy losses to human lives and properties, the prime minister had directed the naval ship to immediately reach Colombo with relief assistance and assist in the rescue mission.

Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra handed over the relief goods to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Hon Ravi Karunanayake, at the Colombo Port.

The Sri Lankan foreign minister expressed his gratitude to the prime minister of Pakistan for providing timely and valued assistance.

The minister emphasised that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoyed excellent relations. It had been a tradition that both nations came to assist each other in times of adversity, he added.

The acting high commissioner reaffirmed Pakistan's continued support to Sri Lanka.

Pakistan Naval Ship Zulfiquar has brought in dry rations, medicines, de-flooding pumps and other relief items.

Additionally, the ship has the capability to assist in search and rescue facilities through its helicopter, rescue boats, medical team and expert divers.