Pakistan has said it would send 10,000 metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka - facing its worst drought in four decades, Outlook India said today.

The first shipment of the consignment will depart from Pakistan today and reach Sri Lanka on April 3.

It quoted the Pakistan Foreign Office said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as having directed authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the government and the drought-affected people of Sri Lanka.

“The procedure for dispatch of 10,000 metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka through containerised shipments has been initiated," it said.

"The Government and people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need and will continue to provide all possible support to them," it added.

Twenty-five metric tons of rice was airlifted to Colombo on February 8 as immediate short-term assistance.