COLOMBO, Jan. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- A British military vessel has followed the deployment of US marines to assist in Sri Lanka's Tsunami disaster relief task, Sri Lankan government officials said Monday.

    HMS Chatham, a British Army vessel, arrived in Colombo early Monday, an official confirmed.

    The military personnel would be assisting in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of this Indian ocean island's Tsunami tidal wave hit coastal belts.

    Some 1,400 US marines are to be deployed in reconstruction workaccording to the US embassy officials here. A multi purpose assault ship, five hovercraft and 20 helicopters will provide logistic support to the marines who are expected to be based near the Colombo international airport.

    Sri Lanka's giant neighbor India had earlier despatched a 45 bed floating hospital in addition to the Indian Navy vessels stationed at the Galle and Trincomalee ports.

    The British and the US officials say that both contingents would be assisting the government to launch its rehabilitation drive of the Tsunami-stricken areas commencing Jan.15.

    The Center for National Operations, a special Sri Lankan presidential team was set up on Sunday to steer the reconstructioneffort with coordination of all international assistance. Enditem