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| Monday, 21 February 2005 |
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Editorial | |
| News Business Features Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Please forward your comments to the Editor, Daily News. Email : editor@dailynews.lk Snail mail : Daily News, 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 11 2429429 / 94 11 2421181 Fax : 94 11 2429210 Highest point in US - Lanka relations The highest point in US-Sri Lanka relations was recorded yesterday with the visit to this country of former US Presidents George Bush Snr and Bill Clinton. The relations between the two countries go back into the dim distant past at a time when sailing ships plied the oceans in search of new friends and hitherto unknown lands in a spirit of fellowship, while also forging new trading partnerships. When the special envoys of the US President stepped on Sri Lankan soil it was one of the most memorable events in this country which always has had warm ties with the US, strong ties that have withstood the test of time. Presidents George Bush Snr and Bill Clinton are here on a humane mission to help us in a time of deep crisis caused by the December 26 2004 tsunami which devastated two thirds of Sri Lanka's coastal belt and snuffed out the lives of over 37,000 men, women and children in a matter of seconds. It destroyed homes and the means of livelihood of the victims. One moment families were living in firmly built comfortable homes, the next, they were all swept away never to return to the land of the living. But, the indomitable spirit of Sri Lankans is conquering adversity with the assistance of the international community. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and her Government have faced this unprecedented catastrophe with great courage and fortitude. Almost immediately the fight back began with the support of the international community, who to every man woman and child were filled with sorrow at the tragedy that we have had to suffer through the sometimes cruel vagaries of nature. The Americans have shown that they are warm and caring. The world's biggest super power, has come running to our aid along with several other nations, such as our immediate neighbours. The Americans with their own hands cleared the rubble, built new homes and gave us a spirit of optimism getting us out of the paraletic depression caused by the tsunami. Japan, India, Pakistan, China, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, the World Bank, the IMF and almost the whole world rose to the occasion and have helped us in our time of need. We thank President George W. Bush and his special envoys Presidents George Bush Snr and Bill Clinton for visiting Sri Lanka and seeing for themselves the mighty devastation caused by the angry seas which has however resulted in a tidal wave of world unity. |
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