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| Sunday, 9 January 2005 |
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Powell pleased with relief measures by Jayantha Sri Nissanka US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday commended the Government of Sri Lanka for swiftly moving to assist people affected by the tsunami disaster. He was responding to a question from a journalist whether he was happy with the relief efforts of the Sri Lankan Government, Powell said "I am very impressed by the quick manner the Government of Sri Lanka had prepared its assessment on losses, priorities and what they need to do. It was an impressive piece of work". Powell who met the Media at the Katunayake Air Force base after a brief tour in the affected Galle district to witness the devastation said, "We have confidence that the Government knows how to spend the relief money and distribute other assistance for the welfare of the needy". "When the scale of disaster was clear, the US increased not only financial support but other assistance too," he added. Sri Lanka has been given nearly US $ 25 million. "Assistance could go up in the days ahead as we get a better understanding of the needs of Sri Lankan people", he noted. Powell expressed his condolences on behalf of the Government and people of the United States. Having toured Galle, he said he now had a first-hand knowledge of the devastation caused to Sri Lanka by the tsunami and he will report to President George W Bush on Monday. Powell held discussions with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Cabinet Ministers during his brief stay in Sri Lanka on Friday. He noted that the US military presence in Sri Lanka was only for humanitarian purposes and US military presence will not in anyway influence the political outcome. US military will be here as long the Sri Lankan Government needs their services during the recovery process, he added. |
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