A group of Sri Lankan Chinese donated school bags and other items to tsunami orphans in Galle on the eve of the first anniversary of Dec. 26 tsunami.

Senior members from Sri Lankan Chinese Association (preparatory committee) donated 20 school bags to a group of children who lost their parents in the tsunami.

The tsunami killed more than 30,000 people and orphaned 3,000 children in the Indian Ocean island country.

They also donated baby napkins, milk powder and candy to an orphanage named Ruhunu Lama Niwasaya in Galle, about 120 km south of the Capital Colombo.

Xie Jun, organizer of the donation, told the children that he and other Sri Lankan Chinese would continue to help them in the future.

"Don't worry, children. You are not alone. We will do our best to help you in the future," said Xie in a simple ceremony.

A. Samarasinghe, secretary to the Southern Province governor, expressed his "heart-felt thanks" to the Chinese friends.

"Sri Lanka and China enjoy very good relationship. The Chinese government and the Chinese people always offer help to us when we are in difficult situation," said Samarasinghe.

The 15-year-old Manoge Soysa, who lost his mother in the tsunami, said he was very happy to get a new school bag just before the new year.

Ruhunu Lama Niwasaya accommodated 49 orphans ranging from two months to five years old, officials from the orphanage said.

Source: Xinhua