SRI LANKA EXPRESSES SYMPATHY ON HURRICANE
DEVASTATION AND MAKES TOKEN CONTRIBUTION OF $25,000 TOWARDS RELIEF
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
and Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike, who are presently in
China on a state visit, have conveyed messages of sympathy to
the government and the people of the USA, following the devastation
caused by hurricane Katrina, in states of Mississippi and Louisiana.
On behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, the Sri
Lanka Government is making a token contribution of US$ 25,000
through the American Red Cross, towards providing relief to those
affected.
Expressing her sadness at the extent of the death
and destruction, President Kumaratunga said “having experienced
the fury of nature ourselves during the Indian Ocean tsunami of
December 26, 2004, the people of Sri Lanka and I fully comprehend
the grief and the sense of loss experienced by the victims of
the hurricane.”
Recalling the spontaneous US response in the
wake of the tsunami that helped to mitigate the effects in the
immediate aftermath of the disaster and in the recovery process,
the President further extended profound sympathies and condolences
on behalf of Sri Lanka to the families, who have lost their loved
ones and expressed solidarity with the victims.
Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike, in a message
to the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has also conveyed
his sympathies and condolences to the families of those affected
and expressed solidarity with the USA at this time of crisis.
The Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe
in a message to President Bush has also conveyed his sadness at
the extent of death and destruction caused by hurricane "Katrina".
The Embassy wishes to inform concerned Sri Lankans,
who may have family or friends in the affected areas in Mississippi
and Louisiana, to contact the Embassy for assistance in obtaining
information about the safety of their loved ones. Such requests
can be made at 202 483 4025 or emailed to slembassy@slembassyusa.org.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA
01 Septmeber 2005
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