Donald Camp in Colombo

A senior State Department official is visiting Sri Lanka to hold discussions with Sri Lankan Government officials, politicians and business leaders, as well as review post-tsunami reconstruction projects financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Donald Camp, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs met with business leaders, politicians and government officials. Camp re-iterated the gratitude of President Bush and the American people for Sri Lanka's quick offer of assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims and conveyed his hope that the Ceasefire Agreement and peace process would continue to hold despite the recent assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. Camp also reviewed bilateral relations, saying:

"We have excellent bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, as evidenced by the large donations of post-tsunami assistance Americans provided, as well as Sri Lanka's help to hurricane katrina victims. We'll continue to work on reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in tsunami-hit areas." Camp, who was posted to Colombo earlier in his diplomatic career, added that "It's always a pleasure to come back to Sri Lanka to see old friends and renew my acquaintance with this island and its people.", states a US Embassy press release.

Camp visited USAID projects in Ahugnalle and Moratuwa to provide transitional shelter to hundreds of families left homeless by the tsunami.