Over 30,000 people were killed by the powerful earthquake centered below in Pakistan last weekend, sending shockwaves across south Asia and reducing cities and villages to rubble.

It is estimated that 30,000 people were killed in Pakistani Kashmir alone, according to a Pakistani minister. More than 600 were reported dead in India-controlled Kashmir and at least 50, 000 believed injured.

The UN estimated that more than 2.5 million people needed shelter.

Sri Lankan PM expresses sorrow for Pakistan earthquake

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has sent messages to Pakistani leaders, expressing his sorrow and pledging assistance to them to overcome the disaster caused by the earthquake.

Rajapakse expressed his condolences to Pakistan Ambassador in Sri Lanka Bashir Wali Mohmand within a few hours after the disaster, Deputy Pakistan High Commissioner Ishtiaq Andradi was

quoted by Daily News as saying.

According to Andradi, the Prime Minister while expressing his sympathies to the Pakistan envoy offered Sri Lankan assistance if it was necessary.

"The disaster is massive and the Pakistan Government is busy making an assessment of the situation. We hear that other countries are getting ready to send their relief assistance. It is too early to say what the Pakistan government expects from Sri Lanka," Andradi added.

Source: Agencies/Xinhua