Emergency Aid to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Tsunami Disaster

December 27, 2004

On December 27 (Mon), the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind, equivalent to about 14,700,000 yen, including tents, sleeping mats, plastic sheets, electric generators, water purifiers and portable water tanks, to the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, which has sustained a major tsunami disaster.
On December 26 (Sun), a large-scale earthquake that occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, caused a huge tsunami in the entire coast of Sri Lanka, resulting in a great damage with more than 4,000 deaths and one million afflicted/refugees (as of 00:00 of December 27 (Mon) local time).
The Government of Sri Lanka declared a State of National Disaster in the afternoon of December 26 (Sun) and set up an emergency headquarters at the prime minister's official residence. Later, a Donors Meeting for emergency disaster relief was held at the prime minister's residence, and the Government of Sri Lanka has requested emergency assistance (dispatch of medical teams and provision of emergency goods), in view of the severity of the tsunami disaster.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view and in light of the friendly relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Japan already decided on the dispatch of a Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team to Sri Lanka on December 26 (Sun), and the medical team has already started its relief activities in the country.

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