After the breakout of the strong earthquake in South Asia, which has left more than 19,000 people dead and another 42,000 injured so far, leaders of the Southeast Asian countries had expressed sorrow and condolences to the victims in the quake-stricken countries and pledged assistance to them.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister

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.

Indonesian President

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has extended his condolences to Pakistan over Saturday's deadly earthquake, with a medical team prepared for a humanitarian mission to the country, the Jakarta Post reported Monday.

"The president has directly expressed his condolences to his excellency President Pervez Musharraf," foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa was quoted as saying on Sunday.

The Indonesian government would send a Hercules C-130 aircraft with a medical team, medicine and various emergency materials to Pakistan, where a major earthquake left around 18,000 people dead on Saturday, said Natalegawa.

Malaysian Prime Minister

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has extended condolences and sympathies to the victims of the Saturday earthquake that struck Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

In a message to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on behalf of the Malaysian government and people, Badawi said he was greatly shocked and saddened over the tragic loss of lives, human injuries and massive destruction of property in the tragedy.

Malaysia was ready to send rescue and humanitarian relief teams to assist Pakistan, Badawi said in the message released by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry Sunday night.

He also sent a similar message to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, saying Malaysia was ready to assist India if requested by New Delhi.

Malaysia will be ready to assist India in its rescue and humanitarian relief efforts within Malaysia's capabilities if India requires assistance, Badawi said. Malaysian rescue and humanitarian relief teams will go to India at the earliest opportunity.

In his message to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah said he shared the grief with the brotherly people of Afghanistan, and he wishes to convey the heartfelt condolences and sympathies of the Malaysian government and people to all the grieving families of the earthquake victims.

Nepali King

Nepali King Gyanendra has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property caused by the earthquake that struck India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday, Radio Nepal reported on Monday.

In separate messages to Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday, the King extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies on behalf of the Nepali government and people, the state-own radio said.

Bruneian Supreme Head of State Sultan

The Bruneian Supreme Head of State Sultan has extended his condolences to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on the tragic loss of lives in the recent earthquake.

In a message sent to Musharraf, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah said he was very saddened to learn of the loss of lives and property damage caused by the earthquake.

On behalf the people of Brunei Darussalam and also in his own name, Hassanal Bolkiah conveyed their deepest condolences to Musharraf and the people of Pakistan, especially to the bereaved families of the victims.

Hassanal Bolkiah also expressed his wish that the Pakistani people could overcome the difficulty with courage, the official website of the Bruneian government said.

The strong earthquake, which struck Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Saturday, has left more than 19,000 people dead and another 42,000 injured so far.

Philippine gov't to send humanitarian team to Pakistan

The Philippine government Monday said it will send a humanitarian team to Pakistan to help with the relief and rescue efforts after a strong earthquake struck South Asia.

"The usual assistance we extend to countries who experience this kind of tragedy is the sending of a humanitarian team," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said at a news briefing without giving any detail.

Bunye reiterated the Philippines' condolences to those who lost their people in the disaster. "We would like to extend our sympathies to nations and peoples affected by this sudden tragedy.

The entire nation is one in prayer for their speedy recovery from this unfortunate event."

Tens of thousands of people are believed died in the Saturday earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, that hit parts of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier said in a statement that the Philippines "shared the grief and pain" of the victims of the massive earthquake.

The Philippine humanitarian teams were also sent to the victim countries after the catastrophic tsunami hit southeast Asia in December 2004.

By People's Daily Online