Turkey has contributed US$700,000 to Sri Lanka to be used for the latter's relief and humanitarian efforts after the tsunami, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said Monday in a press release.

A letter to this effect was handed over by Hasan Bogus, Turkish ambassador to Sri Lanka resident in New Delhi, to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on Monday.

This contribution is in addition to the housing project the Turkish government has already initiated for tsunami affected Sri Lankans in the southern city of Matara.

The Matara housing project will include a community center, kindergarten, shopping complex and all other amenities and is expected to be completed within seven months.
 
(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2005)