On December 31, 2004, Minister of Culture of the People's Republic of China Mr. Sun Jiazheng sent a letter to Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage of Sri Lanka Mr. Vijitha Herath, expressing condolences to Sri Lanka on the casualties and property losses inflicted by the tsunami and deep grief to the victims. He wished Sri Lankan people working in the cultural field to cheer up and strive unswervingly together with all walks of life across the country so as to achieve the ultimate victory of disaster relief and reconstruction.