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