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| Tuesday, 28 December 2004 |
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by Ranil Wijayapala The international community started sending ships, helicopters and aircraft with humanitarian aid along with rescue teams and medical staff to assist millions of Sri Lankans stranded following tsunami waves that hit the coasts of Sri Lanka, authoritative sources said yesterday. The Indian Government has promptly responded to the Sri Lankan Government's appeal for immediate assistance for rescue operations by taking steps to send six helicopters to assist Sri Lankan troops engaged in rescue operations. Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva told the Daily News that six Indian helicopters were scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka by last afternoon to assist the Sri Lankan Air Force personnel engaged in rescue missions. He said in addition to the helicopters IL 76 aircraft with dry rations and drugs was also scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka from Indian last afternoon. An Airbus from France is also scheduled to arrive at the Katunayake airport this morning along with a team of 100 medical staff and rescue teams, he added. The US Embassy in Colombo announced yesterday that the US Government has pledged US D 100,000 (Rs.10 million) for disaster relief. Following an official request made by the Government, the Government of Japan has decided to immediately dispatch a 20 member team lead by a Foreign Ministry official and consisting of doctors, nurses, paramedics a pharmacist, JICA officials etc. The team was scheduled to arrive at the Katunayake airport at 22.35 hours. A Japanese Embassy in Colombo said that the team will also bring with them tents, medicine, water, sleeping bags etc. Two Russian II-76 planes carrying 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid for victims were also scheduled to arrive in the country last afternoon. According to reports from Russia the humanitarian aid included tents and other emergency supplies, plus a helicopter and Russian rescue workers. The Pakistani Government was also scheduled to send C 130 aircraft within this week along with relief goods worth Pakistan Rs.20 million last night. Meanwhile, Navy Spokesman Commodore Jayantha Perera told the Daily News that India has already sent two Naval ships INS Sukanya and INS Sandesh to Trincomalee last morning with rescue workers, and humanitarian aid including drugs and food rations. Another two ships also scheduled to arrive at Galle harbour by last afternoon, he said. |
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