US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1565

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001565 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPDC, PREL, CE, External Relations, Tsunami 
SUBJECT: TFUS01:  SRI LANKAN PRIME MINISTER SENDS 
CONDOLENCES ON HURRICANE KATRINA 
 
1.  On September 7 Embassy received a letter of condolence on 
Hurricane Katrina from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to 
President Bush.  The text of the letter follows below. 
 
2.  Begin text: 
 
2 September 2005 
His Excellency George W. Bush 
President of the United States of America 
 
Excellency, 
 
I was struck with extreme grief when I heard the news of the 
devastation caused by hurricane Katrina, which hit the 
Southeastern United States, including Louisiana.  I am deeply 
saddened by the extensive and severe damage it had caused, 
killing thousands and leaving millions of American people 
without homes, electricity and water. 
 
Having experienced the worst ever natural disaster Sri Lanka 
faced, not so long ago, I could imagine the grief, trauma, 
and stress it would have caused you, particularly to see many 
of your people killed or made destitute. 
 
At this moment, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to 
you, the government of the USA and all American people.  May 
I also kindly request you to convey our sympathies to the 
near and dear of those who lost their lives as a result of 
the Katrina.  Also, I wish fast normalization of life in the 
areas devastated by the hurricane. 
 
Excellency, our thoughts and prayers are with you and the 
American people, at this hour of grief. 
 
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Mahinda Rajapakse 
 
End text. 
 
3.  A copy of the letter has been faxed to SA/INS. 
ENTWISTLE