TFUS01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES DONATIONS TO

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001556 SIPDIS DEPT FOR HURRICANE KATRINA TASK FORCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL CE MV SUBJECT: TFUS01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES DONATIONS TO KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS REF: SECSTATE 163386 ¶1. Per request reftel, Econchief relayed USG thanks for Sri Lanka's USD 25,000 donation to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MFA Economic Affairs Director Esala Weerakoon said that Sri Lanka's contribution would be deliverd by Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Bernard Goonatilake to the American Red Cross on Tuesday, September 6. ¶2. During a September 6 meeting with the Charge, Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed presented a check, drawn on Bank of Maldives and cut for the American Red Cross, for $25,000. Charge accepted the check on behalf of the USG, thanked Maldives for its generous offer and asked Shaheed to convey our thanks to President Gayoom. After consulting with the Katrina task force Post has sent the check to the task force by express delivery service. ENTWISTLE