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| Saturday, 08 January 2005 |
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by Manjula Fernando The visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday joint efforts on the relief front could be elevated to a political effort to achieve lasting peace. Following a short visit to devastated areas in Galle and Southern parts last afternoon, Powell, the first top level US leader to visit the country since 1972, said: "We hope that all Sri Lanka would come together during this crisis and work together. This we hope would lead to the resolution of political issues related to the peace process." Addressing reporters on the tarmac at the Katunayake airbase, in front of his aircraft before departure, he said: "The US military presence is part of humanitarian assistance by our Government. I hope the Marines' presence will not affect the political situation in Sri Lanka." He said they will be here as long the Sri Lankan Government needs their services during the recovery process. Commenting on the continuing relief operations, distribution and the damage assessment work, the Secretary of State said he was "highly impressed" with the Government's efforts. "The total contribution by the US government for relief work in Sri Lanka is US $ 25 million. This may increase with the future damage estimates," Powell said, adding that they have pledged a total of US $ 350 million for the affected Asian region and this amount may be increased by President George W. Bush in future, if necessary. US$ 10 million has been allocated for clean up and reconstruction while another US$ 10 million has been earmarked for constructing temporary housing for the affected communities in Sri Lanka. The US has dispatched 20 helicopters and 1,500 marines for relief work in the tsunami affected areas in Sri Lanka. They are still arriving in the country. Powell said he will be meeting the US President on Monday to brief him on his visit to the tsunami devastated countries in the region. After attending the 'tsunami aftermath meeting of ASEAN leaders' in Jakarta on Thursday, the US leader toured affected areas in Indonesia. Powell said as soon as they received a clear picture of the devastation they stepped up relief assistance to the affected countries and immediately got in contact with their leaders. "Within 24 hours of the devastation I telephoned the Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. President Bush was in touch with the Sri Lankan President within 48 hours." He said the US military will be mainly deployed in the Southern parts of the country helping the reconstruction and relief operations while their medical personnel will go to other parts to restore hospitals and medical services in these regions. In response to a question whether he had been in contact with the LTTE he responded in the negative saying that he had been assured of continued relief supplies to the North by the Government. Earlier, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga received the US Secretary of State at the President's House. He was accompanied by US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead and Director of USAID Andrew Natsios and senior US officials. Powell expressed his condolences on behalf of the Government and people of the United States. Having been to Galle, he said he now has first hand knowledge of the devastation caused to Sri Lanka by the tsunami. He told President Kumaratunga he would convey to President George W Bush the effect of the catastrophe on the lives of people in Sri Lanka. He assured the President the US is committed to help Sri Lanka in its economic redevelopment programme. The President expressed her gratitude to the US Government and the American people for the assistance already granted and for the prompt deployment of the US Marine Corps who have already begun assisting in clearing debris in the coastal areas. Powell who chaired the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Committee that selected Sri Lanka in 2004 for MCA benefits said Sri Lanka having re-qualified for 2005 would stand to benefit by greater US assistance for rural development and SMEs. He made special mention of US assistance in the housing sector in coastal areas. These US projects would help rebuild the lives of people by generating new job opportunities. Secretary Powell said people's response back at home was tremendous. He said the preliminary estimates indicate that funds collected by American organisations and individuals exceed US$ 200,000. Associated with the President at the discussions were Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Secretary to the President W. J. S. Karunaratne and Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara. He also met Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Before addressing the media, Powell toured the tsunami-ravaged South to assess rehabilitation and reconstruction needs. Powell flew by helicopter to Galle, which was severely affected by the December 26 tsunami. The entire town was flooded, killing hundreds and destroying shops and homes. Only the ramparts of the town's 17th century Dutch fort, a UNESCO world heritage site, were unscathed. The tsunami killed more than 30,200 people along the Southern, Eastern and Northern shores and nearly 4,900 people are still missing. Powell flew past devastated areas along the Galle Road and train tracks that were twisted, broken and washed away. He touched down in Galle, where he witnessed the destruction caused by the tsunami at close quarters. "I had a chance to witness the destruction first hand and only by seeing it on the ground can you really appreciate what it must have been like on that terrible day," Powell said through an aide. "But I am impressed to see people cleaning up, helping their neighbours, starting to clean up shops and homes." Powell also toured a Galle relief centre that was housed in a government school and spoke with relief workers and a worker from USAID who told him that they needed more heavy equipment."We will do everything we can to help you," Powell responded. |
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