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Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W.Bush arrive in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 February 2005, 10:35 GMT]
Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W.Bush arrived in Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, Sunday evening at 4.12 PM as part of their tour of tsunami-hit countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, Media Minister Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vishva Warnapala and Interior Ministry Secretary Mr.Tilak Ranaviraja were present at the Airport to receive the two former US presidents. US President George W Bush appointed the ex-presidents to lead private fundraising efforts in the wake of the tsunami.


US Ex-President Bill Clinton signing Airport VIP guestbook at Bandaranaike International Airport


US Ex-President George H.W.Bush signing Airport VIP guestbook at Bandaranaike International Airport

President Chandrika Kumaratunga is scheduled meet the former US Presidents later on Sunday.

The two former Presidents on Monday will visit sites in the Matara district, including a debris-clearing project near Matara Fort where USAID is providing cash-for-work and equipment to people affected by the tsunami to help expedite the clean up.

Both former president Bush and former president Clinton visited the Indonesian province of Aceh shattered by tsunami and discussed the needs for rebuilding the battered region prior to visiting Sri Lanka.

They will leave for Maldives Monday evening.


US Ex-presidents, upon their arrival, boarding on a helicopter from Bandaranaike International Airport, Katuanayake to Colombo

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