Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan 13, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The archbishop of Washington is impressed with the efficiency of relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Edgar Cardinal McCarrick visited the island Tuesday, along with Bishop John Kirby of Clonfert, Ireland, chairman of Trocaire, an Irish Catholic Aid Agency.
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga received the delegation of foreign bishops at the President's House. They were accompanied by Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo.
The bishops had visited the tsunami-hit Southern district and spent time in Galle.
The Office of the President reported that Cardinal McCarrick and his team were astonished by the resilience displayed by Sri Lankans. The cardinal had observed that the people had risen above caste and religion to help their fellow Sri Lankans.