Sri Lanka a 'disaster state'

2004-12-26 12:12

Colombo - Sri Lanka declared a "state of disaster" on Sunday as unprecedented tsunami waves lashed more than half the island's coastline, killing at least 1 000 people, officials said.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who is in London, was expected to cut short her holiday and return home, a spokesperson for her office said, adding she was also appealing for international help.

"President Kumaratunga has appealed to the international community for emergency assistance," a statement by her office said. "It is likely the president will return to the island sooner than expected."

Declaring a state of disaster gives wide powers to relief officials to requisition vehicles and manpower from the state and private sectors and allows the deployment of security forces to help victims.

In Bangkok, at least 99 people were killed and more than 1 100 injured in southern Thailand when tsunamis struck the kingdom, officials said.

And in India it was reported that tidal waves had killed more than 1 000, according to the country's home minister.

- AFP