The Asian Development Bank has pledged Sri Lanka US$200 million as tsunami relief assistance, the state radio announced on Saturday.

ADB President Tadao Chino has assured the release of funds for short term and long term reconstruction and rehabilitation, the radio said.

Chino on Saturday visited the tsunami devastated areas accompanied by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

The ADB is to decide on future assistance based on the information gathered during Chino's visit.

This assistance is in addition to the around US$250 million so far raised by the government from the United Nations and other multilateral agencies.

The government said the long term reconstruction bill of the Dec. 26 tsunami stricken areas is expected to be between US$1.5 billion to US$1.8 billion.

Treasury Secretary P. B. Jayasundera announced Thursday that UN agencies have provided US$166 million in order to fund a scheme to set off tax liabilities of around 500,000 people who are believed to have lost their records with the tidal wave attacks

Part of the grant is also to be used to meet some of their utility bills such as electricity.

Out of the US$166 million, US$30 million are to be provided as cash grants to the devastated people, Jayasundera said.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2005)