Opposition Urges Extension of Airspace Clearance for Pakistani Relief Flights
03-Dec-2025.
Considering the disasters Sri Lanka has faced, Pakistan is prepared to send 100 metric tons of aid by air. However, India has granted only six hours to use its airspace.
This is not enough for a Pakistan to Sri Lanka round trip. Therefore, the government must immediately hold discussions with India to extend this time limit, stressed Mujibur Rahman, Member of Parliament from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
Speaking at a press conference held at the SJB office in Colombo on Dec 2, he further stated:
About 1.4 million people in the country have been affected. Thousands more have been displaced. Over 400 deaths have been recorded, and more than 300 people are missing. Some areas in the Nuwara Eliya District still cannot be reached. We urge the government to use helicopters to provide immediate air relief to the people trapped there.
Since there is a high possibility of infectious diseases spreading after the floodwaters recede, the health sector must be strengthened immediately. Due to crop damage and livestock loss, there may be future food shortages and price hikes. To prevent this, the government should prepare a plan to provide food at affordable prices.
Damaged roads and collapsed bridges that hinder relief operations must be repaired without delay. The President should instruct the Central Bank to extend loan repayment periods for at least one year for people affected by the disasters.
Considering the disasters Sri Lanka has faced, Pakistan is prepared to send 100 metric tons of aid (food, medicine, mobile hospital) on two C-130 aircraft. However, India has granted only six hours to use its airspace. This is not enough for a Pakistan-Sri Lanka-Pakistan trip. Therefore, the government must immediately negotiate with India to extend the time.
Opposition members said they would extend their full cooperation for national rescue operations. However, they accused the government of failing to create a practical mechanism for cooperation, saying the President’s words alone were not enough. They noted that when they asked for a parliamentary debate on the disaster, they were not given the opportunity.
