Talking to a group of parliamentarians, who called on him in his chamber at Parliament House, he said it was a tragedy of catastrophic proportions.
He said the whole nation responded to this tragedy in a swift and determined manner and a massive rescue and relief operation was undertaken immediately afterwards. It involved not only the government agencies and departments but also the civil society organisations and the NGO's he added.
He said that in the first phase of the operation has completed and it would be followed by the second phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation. He said that though it would be long and arduous yet hoped that the nation would be able to overcome the challenges.
Ways and means were also discussed to further expedite the rehabilitation's of the victims during the meeting.
The parliamentarians also updated the Prime Minister on the current status of the development schemes being carried out in their respective constituencies.