Sri Lanka says it has received large consignments of expired food from Pakistan — turning what should have been a routine import into a public health alarm and a diplomatic embarrassment for both sides.
From Donor Aid to Discarded Goods
Pakistan’s announcement that it was standing by flood-hit Sri Lanka drew heavy criticism online. This happened after authorities found that relief supplies delivered by Islamabad had passed their expiry date. Images shared widely on X showed expired food packets and medical items sent as humanitarian aid. This prompted social media users to accuse Pakistan of insensitivity and negligence. Reports from Colombo also indicated that Sri Lankan relief officials had raised concerns over the problematic consignment.
Visuals circulating online revealed aid packets with an expiry date of October 2024. This came even as Pakistan posted them with the message, “Pakistan Stands With Sri Lanka Today and Always.” Sri Lankan authorities found that the supplies were already expired and deemed them unfit for use upon arrival. According to sources, Colombo has conveyed its concerns to Islamabad both informally and through official diplomatic channels.
Unmasking the Spoiled Shipment
Sri Lankan authorities discovered the expired food during inspections at the Colombo Port. Social media users later publicized it when they spotted the expiry dates in photos posted online by the Pakistan High Commission. The discovery led to widespread outrage, prompted immediate official action, and created a diplomatic issue.
Sri Lankan relief officers, specifically teams from the Disaster Management and Foreign Affairs Ministries, inspected the incoming consignment of aid from Pakistan. The inspection took place at the Colombo Port. During this process, they found several cartons and packages of food items (including wheat flour and milk powder) and medical supplies that were past their expiration dates. In some cases, the items had been expired for over a year.
The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka posted photos of the aid delivery on the social media platform X. It shared the images while celebrating the gesture. Sharp-eyed social media users zoomed in on the images and pointed out the visible expiry dates on the packets. These images went viral, sparking immediate and widespread public outrage and media coverage across South Asia.
Checks, Reforms, and Watchdog Eyes
The episode has sparked debate in Sri Lanka over the need for tighter procedures to screen incoming relief consignments. Under the current system, authorities process humanitarian shipments through document clearance, physical inspection, and safety checks. These steps include verifying paperwork and donor certifications and assessing packages for damage or expired items. They also involve subjecting food and medical supplies to health and quality standards. Officials say the latest incident is likely to strengthen calls for stricter enforcement of these protocols. It could also result in tougher action against substandard consignments during future emergency relief operations.
Trade Trust Under Fire
The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo deleted social media posts that initially showcased the relief efforts and inadvertently displayed the expired dates on the packages. The government has not issued any official clarification, though unverified social media claims attributed to the Pakistan Navy suggested that only the outer bags were old stock used for transport, while the contents were supposedly fresh.
As investigations continue, this controversy could determine not just the fate of the expired consignments, but the future of trust in Pakistan’s export procedures to Sri Lanka and beyond.
For more such informative articles stay tuned at The World Times.
