ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: The government of Pakistan on Monday dispatched food, medicine and other relief goods to Sri Lanka for the victims of Sunday's massive tsunami.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Gen Pervez Musharraf have called for global efforts to cope with the after-effects of the disaster.

"This is the first step and we would continue to provide help to our neighbour countries in their hour of crisis," said Prime Minister Shakaut Aziz after dispatching a PAF's C-130 loaded with the relief goods.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has called for help from the international community in dealing with the aftermath of the tsunami. National disasters have been declared in Indonesia, Thailand, parts of India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka after they were hit by tidal waves unleashed by a massive earthquake on Sunday morning centred near the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Monday expressed sorrow over thousands of deaths caused by the quake and the tidal waves. "Pakistan stands with you in this hour of need," he said at the end of his address to a national convention of workers. He extended his deepest sympathy to the calamity-hit countries. -APP/PPI