Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga Wednesday said the Sri Lankan people are "very thankful" for the relief efforts China has made for the tsunami-hit nation.

In an interview with Xinhua, the president said China was among the nations which offered the helping hands first.

China has sent a huge batch of relief goods to Sri Lanka and a medical team to the affected area, which was very helpful for the rescue progress, said the president.

She said the country's infrastructure has been enormously damaged by the tsunami waves so that more aid from the international community is needed.

"China is always the trustworthy friend of Sri Lanka and the friendship will be lasting," the president said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2005)