A Bermuda relief fund for Sri Lanka got a huge boost on Friday when a supermarket chain gave it $20,000.

The fund, which hopes to be formally registered as a charity tomorrow, is raising money for reconstruction from the Boxing Day tsunami which devastated the east coast of the country killing thousands.

On Friday, the MarketPlace kick-started the campaign by handing over a $20,000 cheque.

One of the fund?s founders, lawyer Bala Nadarajah, said: ?We have placed and application to make this a registered charity, we feel that it is extremely important for the people of Bermuda, especially Sri Lankans, to help support our cause.

?We are hoping to raise at least $40,000 from the Sri Lankan community alone, donations from anywhere are welcomed but we are not soliciting funds from anybody.?

Mr. Nadarajah said they were very grateful to the MarketPlace and chief executive John Carr for the donation. Fellow organiser Mohamed Rafique said the donation brought the funds raised by Friday to $25,000.