Sri Lanka is badly in need of donations in cash and kind for its relief operation and long term rehabilitation of about one million homeless people, Gamini S. Munasinghe, Sri Lankan high commissioner to Bangladesh said here Monday.

Regarding Sri Lanka's short-term requirements, the high commissioner told the official news agency of Bangladesh BSS that the country needs food, medical and other assistance as tens of thousands of people have fallen victim to the Tsunami disaster occurred on December 26 last year.

According to official estimate, 30 thousand people have been reportedly killed in the disaster while unofficial estimate put the figure on around 45 thousand including five thousand missing.

The high commissioner highly praised Bangladesh for its quick response to the appeal for help. He said that " Sri Lanka is touched by the gesture of the government of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the people at this hour of grief."

Members of the public of Bangladesh, he said, have already comeforward with their helping hands for redressing the miseries of the victims of Tsunami.

Munasinghe said the Sri Lankan High Commission has been receiving donations in cash and kind from various organizations and individuals in Bangladesh and the charity includes medicine, clothes and water purification tablets.

The high commission has already sent two container loads of goods and is expected to send more containers in coming weeks, he said, adding that some of the freight forwarders have offered to send such goods free of charge.

The high commissioner said the government of his country has launched an international appeal seeking immediate and medium termassistance. Requests have been initially made to friendly countries, UN and other agencies for generous help at this hour ofgrief, he added.

The requirements of Sri Lanka has been communicated to the government of Bangladesh following the catastrophe, the envoy said,adding that the goods required include tents, blankets, linen, water, purification tablets, wheat flour, pulses, rice and also portable generators.

In response to his country's appeal, Dhaka Bank Ltd Monday donated 10,000 US dollars to the high commissioner at a simple ceremony here, he said.

Bangladesh has already sent two complete teams of armed force-one each for Colombo and Male. The teams reportedly are fully equipped with necessary logistic supports and manpower to conduct independently disaster management operations. Enditem