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Sri Lanka

Germany to grant 59 mln USD for Sri Lankan post-tsunami reconstruction

COLOMBO, Jul 27, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Germany will provide a grant of 49 million euro (approximately 59 million US dollars) for post- tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka, the official Daily News reported Wednesday.

Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera signed the agreement on behalf of the Sri Lankan government and German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Juergen Weerth signed on behalf of the German government at the Ministry of Finance and Planning on Tuesday.

The grant, provided by the German Reconstruction Bank on behalf of the German government, will be used for housing, water supply and sanitation and infrastructure related to new settlements, the Finance Ministry said.

The German government has also offered one year deferment of 13 million euro (approximately 16 million dollars) debts due to be paid by Sri Lanka this year.