The aim of his visit is to assist flood operations and to celebrate volunteerism in the island, a release by the IFRC states.

He is also scheduled to travel to the north, east, and south of Sri Lanka to assess the aftermath of floods and also to witness the work of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and the IFRC in these parts of the country.

“He will insist on the need for greater and long-term support to the people affected by this major disaster with a view of better taking into account the lessons learned from tsunami operations” the statement said.