Government appeals for assistance to help Tsunami victims 

[December 27, 2004 - 6.30 GMT]

The Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday made an appeal to all friendly countries, the UN and other relief agencies. Already several countries have responded.  India, a country itself hit by the devastating tidal wave was the first to respond. Japan is sending in a relief team which is due to reach Colombo later today.   

Text of the communiqué sent to all Heads of Missions in Sri Lanka:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to diplomatic Missions and International Organisations in Sri Lanka and has the honour to state the following:

Widespread devastation and loss of life have been caused mainly in the Eastern and the Southern parts of Sri Lanka as a result of a tidal wave (tsunami) which occurred this morning in the Indian Ocean. Several other countries in the region have also been severely affected.

Initial reports indicate that thousands have been killed and many more remain unaccounted. The number of affected people is approximately one million.

The Government has declared this a national disaster and all Government and other agencies have been placed on an emergency footing to operationalise rescue, relief, medical and other assistance in the affected areas.

Government of Sri Lanka earnestly seeks assistance of the international community in the immediate and medium term in particular in the following areas:

Immediate:

1.     Tents, blankets, linen etc.

2.     food: (pre cooked or ready to eat meal packs)

3.     water purification tablets (approximately 2 million)

4.     wheat flour, pulses, rice

5.     drugs:paracetamol, anti-biotics dressing, suture material, disposable syringes

6.     Intravenous infusions (saline and dextrose)

7.     portable generators

Medium term:

1.     housing and rehabilitation

2.     reconstruction of infrastructure

Further details with regard to medium term requirements will be specified in due course.

All assistance will be coordinated through Mr. W J S Karunaratne, Secretary to the President, at telephone numbers 2324801, 2326309 and 2435144.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka takes this opportunity to renew to diplomatic Missions and International Organisations in Sri Lanka, the assurance of its highest consideration.

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Last Updated Date: December 27, 2004 - 6:30 GMT