Responding to a call to the international community made yesterday by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama for emergency relief assistance for the large number of civilians who have fled LTTE control and sought sanctuary in the cleared areas in recent days,the French Foreign Minister,Dr Bernard Kouchner telephoned his Sri Lankan counterpart today(24th April 2009) and informed that the Government of France will be providing a fully equipped 100-bed field hospital, backed by a 75 strong medical and support staff immediately.In this regard,an advance team will arrive in Colombo tomorrow to make a field assessment to locate the hospital facility in the Vavuniya district

As a further manifestation of the long-standing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries,Dr Kouchner accepted Minister Bogollagama's invitation to visit Sri Lanka.This visit is expected to take place as early as next week.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo

24th April 2009