U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the United States is committed to helping Sri Lanka recover from the December 26 tsunami that devastated the country.
Mr. Powell told reporters 0n Friday in Colombo that Washington has committed about 25 million dollars in aid for Sri Lanka, including 10 million dollars for temporary housing, and another 10 million dollars on an employment program for affected Sri Lankans. He says the United States will play a role in rebuilding Sri Lanka as long as it takes for Colombo to rebuild the island-nation's infrastructure and society. Mr. Powell spoke after touring the battered southern region of Galle, where a contingent of U.S. Marines will soon be based to help in reconstruction efforts.