01 January 2005	Saturday	19 Ziqa'ad 1425

KARACHI, Dec 31: The consul-generals of Siri Lanka and Indonesia on Friday expressed the hope that the people of Pakistan will extend help to the tsunami-hit population in the two countries, which were facing a major natural disaster.

The envoys were speaking at the inauguration of a relief camp set up at the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), to collect donations for the people of clamity-hit countries.

Tsunami catastrophe was a shock for the people of Sri Lanka, which caused great devastation and loss of human lives and property, said Manil D Silva, Consul-General of Sri Lanka, while speaking at the ceremony.

"Sea is considered as a friend by Sri Lankan people, and they never thought of such cruel tidal waves. The moment tidal waves hit Sri Lankan shorelines, majority of the hotels and beaches were full of people, enjoying natural beauty", she added.

She said that her country needed medicines and medical equipment, feeding bottles, dry milk, tents, and drinking water, while, in long-term, cash for rehabilitation and reconstruction of tsunami-hit areas.

The Pakistani nation had always helped Sri Lankan in the past, whenever any disaster occurred there, she said, and hoped it would also extend assistance this time. "Every penny of Pakistani donation will abet a lot", she added.

She appreciated SZABIST efforts for setting up the relief camp in the hour of need, and expressed gratitude to the institute on behalf of Sri Lankan government. The Indonesian Consul-General, Entjim Herrianto, speaking on the occasion said over 80,000 people had died and around 100,000 houses smashed only in Indonesia due to tsunami. -PPI