Sri Lanka to help Myanmar cyclone victims

The Government will donate US$ 25,000 to the Myanmar Government to assist victims of the recent cyclone, which devastated large parts of the country, the Foreign Ministry said.

It said: The Government is also contemplating on sending a team of medical doctors and nurses to the cyclone affected areas to provide medical assistance and care to those in need.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed his grief to the Government of Myanmar over the loss of life caused by the cyclone.

Meanwhile, in a message to U Nyan Win, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said: "I am deeply saddened by the heavy loss of life and colossal damage to property and infrastructure caused by cyclone Nargis which struck Myanmar last Saturday.

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka wish to extend their sympathies to the bereaved families of the victims of this natural calamity.

I am aware that your Government is already spearheading efforts for immediate relief to be provided to the people displaced and affected by the cyclone. I am confident that rehabilitation and reconstruction work will be undertaken so that the people will be able to recover from this tragedy in the shortest possible time.

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in expressing their solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this hour of trial."