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| Wednesday, 29 December 2004 |
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by Walter Jayawardhana reporting from Los Angeles US President George W. Bush sent a letter to President Chandrika Kumaratunga expressing his nations condolences to the Sri Lankan President and the people also expressing Americas determination to help rebuild the Sri Lankan nation devastated by the Tsunami. Under US President Bush's plan a USAAID disaster assessment committee will meet today in Colombo to assess the colossus disaster caused by the Tsunami. The committee would sit from today until Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the island nations greatest disaster in history and how the United States could help in the situation to rebuild the island nation. Under the same presidential plan the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue team is standing by to go to Sri Lanka if any need arises. But any attempt of rescue would be overshadowed by the vast number of dead bodies recovered in the aftermath of the Tsunami. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Powell telephoned his counterpart, Lakshman Kadirgamar who was in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China to express his country's condolences and reassure about the aid , that had been already promised. The US Embassy in Washington DC opened a hot line (202-352-0355) for any US citizen or expatriates to inquire about any missing persons or any other matter related to the disaster. The embassy also formed a crisis management team consisting of the Ambassador, Defence Attache and the First Secretary. All information is updated at the embassy website. Ambassador Devinda Subasinghe met Asst. Secretary of State in Washington DC to discuss the immediate needs of the devastated nation. The military aid given to Sri Lanka would be by the US Pacific Command.. The primary aid would be in the form of search and rescue operations and airlifting capabilities. Meanwhile, a tangible cash grant of US$ 100,000 was immediately issued to the US embassy in Colombo for urgent expenses. The Daily News reliably understands that Ambassador Devinda Subasinghe has briefed President Chandrika Kumaratunga after being briefed by President Bush about supplying aid to Sri Lanka. State Department sources said the US Presidents attention is particularly focused on Sri Lanka, since it is the country which was mostly devastated by the deadly Tsunami. President Bush has promised US $ 15 million for all countries. Meanwhile, large corporations involved in humanitarian aid in the US have been mobilized to come to the aid of Sri Lanka. Americare and the American Red Cross are two large organization already mobilized . Several other NGOs are also getting ready to go to Sri Lanka. The International Red Cross has already committed US $6.6 million for Sri Lankan relief work. Out of that 4 million was granted by the US. Already P3 Orion, of the US Pacific Command has started going to Sri Lanka with its aircraft, helicopter and reconnaissance capabilities.The Sri Lanka Embassy also opened an account under the name Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund at the Wachovia Bank in Washington DC for any private donors to aid Sri Lanka. (EOM) |
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