The first team of relief workers with relief items to assist in aid work in Nepal left Bandaranaike International Airport on Sunday(26) morning.

The team includes 44 army personnel and four consultant doctors, Military Spokesperson Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said.  

According to Brigadier Jayaweera two other aircrafts are due to leave the airport later with 156 relief workers including 14 army personnel.

According to international media nearly 1500 are known to have died in a powerful earthquake in Nepal which was struck yesterday (25) morning, with much more feared trapped under rubble.

However Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Nepal W.M Senevirathna ensured the safety and welfare of Sri Lankans who live in Nepal including university students.