US pulls back aid supply ships from Lanka

Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said the United States would maintain the 700-strong marine force to help with the tsunami clean up, but the supply ships were moving to neighbouring Maldives which was also devastated.

Following an inspection of US marine operations in the southern port town of Galle, 112km south of the capital, Wolfowitz told reporters here they would not stay longer than needed.

"We don't want to stay any longer than we are wanted. Most certainly not longer than we are needed," he said noting that the marines were deployed because they had the capability to respond quickly to the December 26 disaster.

The scale of the catastrophe was much larger in Indonesia and the need for helicopters was far less in Sri Lanka because most affected areas could now be accessed by road, he said.

Sri Lankan officials meanwhile gave conflicting figures for the tsunami fatalities.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin travelled to the eastern district of Ampara which had the highest official death toll of 10,436 killed and promised long-term aid.

"I will also raise the question of rumours of child recruitment (by the Tigers) and want to pass on a message unequivocally that it is not acceptable to Canada," he said here.

As Martin travelled to the east Wolfowitz had a similar tour of the island's south.

"Sri Lanka has very rapidly passed the emergency phase," Wolfowitz said.