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Foreign Victims of Tsunami |
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Police have launched a massive recovery operation under the
directions of IGP Chandra Fernando to unearth evidence
regarding the disappearance of persons including foreign
nationals presumed to have drowned following the Tsunami
disaster on December 26.
IGP Chandra Fernando said at a recent media conference that
pressure was being exerted by relatives of missing foreign
nationals and Insurance companies to find evidence regarding
missing persons to expedite settlement of insurance and
other compensation claims. For this purpose it was necessary
to seek the advice of forensic experts both foreign and
locals to establish the identity of persons.He said a large
number of policemen drawn from various police stations have
been mobilized to gather evidence of missing persons whose
job had become difficult due to clearance of rubble that had
destroyed evidence.
Meanwhile DIG Crimes and Intelligence Jayantha Wickremaratne
said that search teams engaged in recovery operations have
found US Dollars, Rs 800, jewellery items, compact dicks,
bracelets, identity cards, passports of foreign nationals
unearthed from the rubble found in Tsunami affected areas of
Kalmunai, Meetiyagoda, Galle, Yala and Hikkaduwa areas.
In addition 54 unclaimed vehicles have been found in Kathankudi, Galle, Habaraduwa, Payagala, Weligama, Panadura
South, Wadduwa, Tissamaharama, Hikkaduwa, Ahangama areas.
Owners of these vehicles have been requested to call over at
respective police stations with relevant documents to claim
ownership.
Personnel belongings of passengers of the ill fated train
which was swept away at Kahawa by the Tsunami wave and
belongings of natives from Pottuvil, Kalkudah, Eravur have
been found. |
           
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The items include jewellery, national identity cards,
passports, driving licenses, and service permits, Bank
saving books which have been brought to the 3rd floor of the
Police Headquarters in Colombo. Relatives of dead persons
should call over at the Police Headquarters on any weekday
between 11.am -4.p.m.to claim these items. Further inquiries
could be made on the following Telephone numbers
011-2433671, 011-2421111, 011-233333390, 011-2421111.
Meanwhile the Interpol Headquarters in Paris will set up a
computer network in Colombo linking South East Asia and
Paris for exchange of information regarding victims of the
Tsunami disaster. The centre will be manned by four
officials of the Interpol based in Colombo.
They will be assisted by officials of the Criminal
Investigation Department. According to police reports the
number of dead foreign nationals have risen to 69.
Special containers with freezers to preserve dead bodies of
Tsunami victims have arrived from abroad accompanied by
forensic experts from many parts of the world. Several DNA
tests to identify victims have been conducted by them.
Meanwhile the following numbers of nationals have been found
dead, missing, hospitalized or traced.
Statistics of foreign tsunami victims
deaths missing hospi traced
talised
USA 2 0 1 0
Australian 0 0 3 0
Austrian 2 0 1 0
Belgian 0 0 2 0
British 2 0 31 0
Canadian 1 0 1 0
Denmark 0 0 1 0
Dutch 0 0 3 0
French 0 0 3 0
German 3 0 16 0
Indian 11 0 1 0
Irish 0 1 0 0
Italian 1 0 3 0
Japanese 0 0 12 0
Nepalese 0 1 0 0
North Ireland 0 1 0 0
Norwegian 0 0 4 0
Philippine 0 0 1 0
Scottish 0 0 1 0
Swedish 0 0 0 1
Swiss 0 0 0 1
Thai 0 0 1 0
Not mentioned19 0 0 0
Total 41 3 85 2 |
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