President Kumaratuga thanks India for magnificent support
[January 02, 2005 - 8.30 GMT]

President Chandrika Kumaratunga thanked India yesterday for rushing relief materials to the tsunami-battered island even as it struggled with disaster on its own shores. “I want to thank the government of India for the magnificent support they have given us very early, even when India was struggling with the same problem as we have,” Kumaratunga told NDTV news channel.

She said India was the first country to help Sri Lanka. Kumaratunga added that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called her on Thursday and offered financial aid of one billion rupees ($22m). New Delhi has also sent Colombo two Russian-built Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft carrying medical supplies.

The President also said she had discussed with Dr.Singh about jointly setting up an early warning system for tsunamis. “Our entire region does not have an early warning system. I was talking to the Indian Prime Minister on the phone. We are all very determined to set that up very fast,” she said.

“I have asked for help from the US government and UN. It involves a lot of money. It can serve the entire region,” she added. Kumaratunga said the disaster was the worst in the nation’s history, adding that 25 to 30 countries had come forward to help.

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Last Updated Date: January 02, 2005 - 8.30 GMT