Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Monday that his country is planning to send a team of medical doctors and nurses to attend to those injured in the devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck China a week earlier.
Bogollagama visited the Chinese Embassy in Colombo Monday afternoon and signed the Condolence Book to express the Sri Lankan government's condolences for the earthquake victims in China.
In his message, the minister expressed his profound grief on behalf of the president, the government and people of Sri Lanka and extended condolences to the government and the friendly people of China.
At a subsequent meeting with the Chinese Ambassador Ye Dabo, Bogollagama assured that the Sri Lankan government will do all within its capacity to help those in need at this hour of grief.
He also expressed satisfaction at the relief and rehabilitation work commenced by China to provide assistance and relief to those injured and rendered homeless.
In particular, Bogollagama said that he is in touch with the government departments, ministries, private sector and well wishers to arrange assistance in the areas of urgent medical supplies, shelter, food and other essentials.
Bogollagama recalled the outpouring of China's generosity and goodwill extended in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in December 2004.
The minister also expressed the hope that the efforts taken by the Chinese government under the leadership of President Hu Jintao will enable the victims to overcome their suffering and restore their lives in the shortest possible time.
Ye expressed his appreciation for the Sri Lankan government for extending assistance to the earthquake victims in China, which reflects the long standing friendship between the governments and peoples of China and Sri Lanka.
The 8-magnitude quake, centered in Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province, affected many parts of the country.
The death toll has risen to 34,073 as of Monday noon, according to the earthquake relief headquarters of the State Council, China' s cabinet.
(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2008)