The United Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, former US president Bill Clinton arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday.

The government officials here said the former US president, who landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo around 8 p.m. local time (1400 GMT), was received by Sri Lankan Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama.

This was Clinton's second visit to the Indian ocean island ravaged by last December's tsunami tidal waves which killed nearly 40,000 people.

Clinton in his first visit in February accompanied another former US president George Bush.

The UN officials in Colombo said Clinton would be flown to the eastern town of Kalmunai early on Saturday to view the reconstruction progress.

Kalmunai, a Muslim dominated area was one of the worst hit in the disaster.

Later in the day the former US President is expected to call on Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Clinton is expected to see for himself the post-tsunami recovery effort with a view to step up the international community 's effort in helping the affected nations rebuild, officials said.

Bill Clinton who arrived in Colombo from India is scheduled to visit the Maldives on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua