Clinton in Sri Lanka to see tsunami recovery efforts

Former US President Bill Clinton arrived in Sri Lanka today to visit tsunami-devastated areas along the country’s eastern coast and to hold talks with the island’s new president.

“He is glad to be back and is looking forward to getting the chance over the next several days to assess the recovery and the rebuilding process,” said Jay Carson, a spokesman for Clinton.

Clinton was to hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse tomorrow and other top government officials before heading to eastern Sri Lanka, he said.

The December 26 tsunami left more than 31,000 dead and hundreds of thousands more homeless in this island nation.

Clinton is scheduled to head to Indonesia on Wednesday, another area battered by the killer waves.