The veteran MP, who departs for Southeast Asia Sunday, is embarking on a private trip to view the devastation and relief efforts under way.

MEET WITH PEOPLE

"I'm paying for it out of my own pocket," Karygiannis said Friday, adding he's making the trip because he wants to meet with people firsthand so he can report back to his constituents, many of whom are from the area.

"They come to you and they tell you their pain," he said, adding his visit will enable him to gain a better understanding of what people are going through.

CONSTITUENTS' FAMILIES

"Many of my constituents have family in the affected areas of Sri Lanka. I am going to see the area and the relief efforts so that I can tell my constituents what I saw and that Canadian help has arrived," he said.

Karygiannis, who will visit Colombo, Trincomalee, Jaffna and Galle, said the Sri Lanka consul general has been supportive in arranging meetings overseas.

He is also hoping to meet up with Prime Minister Paul Martin's envoy, which is also slated to visit the region next week.