Pakistan criticised for sending expired relief supplies to Sri Lanka

The death toll from floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to 456, with 366 people missing. Nearly 1.5 million people have been affected. Amid such a crisis, Pakistan has come under heavy criticism after expired items were found among the relief supplies sent to Sri Lanka.

According to AFP and CNN affiliate News-18, the relief shipment from Pakistan contained medical equipment, medicines, food packets and various essential items. Upon inspection, Sri Lankan officials discovered expired and spoiled goods in several cartons.

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have described the matter as “extremely concerning”. A widely shared image on social media showed a relief packet labelled with an expiry year of “2024”, although the post on the Pakistan High Commission’s X account was later removed.

Colombo has already expressed its dissatisfaction to Pakistan through both formal and informal diplomatic channels. Analysts say the incident is deeply embarrassing for Pakistan, especially at a time when it is seeking to strengthen its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean region. According to Sri Lankan officials, the incident raises questions about the quality and seriousness of Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance.

The matter has also angered the Sri Lankan public. Many on social media have termed it an “insult” and “a mockery in the name of relief diplomacy”. Many are calling for an official explanation from Pakistan.

Officials said that after the incident, inspection procedures for foreign relief items have been made more stringent—particularly for countries with a record of sending low-quality assistance. Pakistan has faced similar criticism in the past; in 2015, it sent beef-based food items to Nepal following an earthquake, which led to widespread controversy.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Anudha Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency, calling the situation the “largest natural disaster in the country’s history.”