Dharamsala, October 5: Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is currently towards his last leg of US-Canada tour, has offered prayers to the victims of recent devastating natural disasters that struck Indonesia and the Islands of Samoa.

According to separate condolence statements posted on his official website, the 74-year old Nobel Peace Laureate said he was deeply saddened by the loss of many lives and properties as a result of the earthquake tragedy in Indonesia and the Tsunami that struck Islands of Samoa and American Samoa.

In the statements the Dalai Lama offered prayers and condolences to the victims and the family members, and those who have been affected by the violent natural disasters that left hundreds of people dead and missing.

The United Nations has reportedly said that at least 1,100 people were killed following a 7.6-magnitude quake that struck Indonesia’s West Sumatra province last Wednesday, but estimates of the final toll range up to 5,000. Another 5.5-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia's West Papua province on Sunday but there were no reports of injuries.

According to latest media reports, Tsunami waves spawned by a massive 8.0-magnitude undersea quake last Tuesday have left more than 170 people dead and several missing in Samoa, American Samoa and neighbouring Tonga.

Dalai Lama is currently on the last leg of his US-Canada visit that began last month and is due to arrive in Washington D.C. this afternoon. During the visit he will receive the first Lantos Human Rights Prize established by the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice.

The Foundation furthers the work of the late Congressman Tom Lantos, distinguished Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Co-Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and the only survivor of the Holocaust to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Members of Congress and other dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony.

In Washington, the Dalai Lama will bestow the International Campaign for Tibet’s Light of Truth awards to two recipients, including a group of Chinese intellectuals who have contributed in putting spotlight on the issue of Tibet and helped promote a non-violent resolution to it.

The Tibetan leader will also participate in the 19th Mind and Life conferences organized by the Mind & Life Institute. The two-day conference, themed “Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century: Educators, Scientists and Contemplatives Dialogue on Cultivating a Healthy Mind, Brain and Heart”, will have several leading educators, scientists and policy makers to discuss the “importance of researching the effects of mindfulness programs and curricula on educational environments, especially for students exposed to risk factors such as poverty, violence and divorce”. Some US Administration officials, including Education Secretary Arne Duncan, are also scheduled to participate in the conference.

During the visit, Dalai Lama will also give his teachings and will meet Tibetan community of the capital before finally concluding his tour.

Click Here for more details on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Upcoming Schedule