President Chandrika Kumaratunga has appointed task forces on rebuilding the nation, handling rescue and relief and logistics, and maintaining order.

The task forces to rebuild the nation including some of Sri Lanka's top business leaders have a mandate to assess damage and develop a comprehensive development and infrastructure rebuilding plan to put into action from Jan. 15.

The forces will be headed by Mano Tittawella, Kumaratunga's chief economic advisor.

Sri Lanka was hit by massive Tsunami tidal waves on Dec. 26 devastating the northeastern and southern coastal belts.

Tourism and fishing industries were the worst hit as the country suffered the deaths of over 30,000 people.

According to tourism industry officials, around 4,000 hotel rooms were damaged by Tsunami waves. The reconstruction of the industry would cost Sri Lankan Rupee 12 to 13 billion (around 115 million US dollars to 125 million US dollars)

The government tourism board now targets 550,000 tourist arrivals this year down from the original estimate of 600,000 visitor.

Dr Pratap Ramanujam, the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, said "We shall see a drop in tourists in January but we hope to have all the hotels functioning again by July and tourists will most certainly return".