Clinton meets SL President

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 November 2005, 11:43 GMT]
The former President of the US and UN special envoy on tsunami relief, Bill Clinton, currently in Sri Lanka as part of his his tour to South Asian countries, met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday at 11.20 a.m. at Sri Lanka Presidential residence, Temple trees, Colombo, sources said.

Mr. Clinton and Rajapakasa discussed more than thirty minutes on tsunami relief activites in Sri Lanka.

Mr Rajapaksa thanked Mr Clinton and the international community, for their help during the disaster and continuing reconstruction phase.

Mr Rajapakse said he will establish a Tsunami Reconstruction and Development Authority on his first cabinet meeting. The Authority will also undertake reconstruction of tsunami-affected area in Northeast, Mr Rajapakse said.

However, matters related to the status of Post-Tsunami Operations and Management Structure (P-TOMS) were not raised during the discussions, sources said.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and President Secretary Mr. Lalith Weerathunga also attended that discussion. The guest was honored at an official lunch at the Temple Trees after the discussions.