Most International and local non governmental organisations which received millions of rupees and dollars from the public are yet to show any significant progress in re-building affected areas or houses. These organisations made announcements after the tsunami that they would undertake different projects. President Kumaratunga wanted them to show quick results and help the people.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar says that Sri Lanka is well aware of the donor circus and steps will have to be taken and some are now being very intensely worked on it to avoid it. In an interview given to the Frontline magazine in India on Tsunami and rehabilitation and responding to a question on the internationalisation of relief efforts the Sri Lankan foreign minister says that it will not have any significant impact in the shaping of Sri Lankan foreign policy. He says “One thing must be noted. It is well known in international practice that there is world of a difference between pledges of funds and what one finds in the bank.” On the question of what percentage of the pledged funds will ultimately flow into Sri Lanka, he says “I think we are speaking about over a billion dollars. It could be $ 1.8 billion. Having said that, I would repeat that as of today, one cannot quantify (the inflow) with any degree of reliable specificity.

Paying a glowing tribute to the Sri Lankans, Kadirgamar says “A lot of people experienced in disaster management, have expressed their astonishment at the way in which this small country has coped with this unpredecented situation. A great deal of credit must go to our bureaucracy, in all its forms-the administrative services, the police, the armed forces, the medical profession, the teachers and individuals” Published: Mon Feb 21 09:02:05 EST 2005