European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission has set aside 100 million euros for post-tsunami reconstruction assistance to Sri Lanka. Most of the money will be channeled through the World Bank Reconstruction Trust Fund and will be used to restart livelihoods for the tsunami affected including in the tourism, fisheries and apparel sectors. The market access zero tariff concessions provided for Sri Lankan textiles to the EU (GSP plus) will be effective from 1st of April, brought forward from July. The European Commission has also set aside 40 million euros for the reconstruction of the highway from Matara to Batticaloa. This was revealed when the European Commissioner, who is currently in Sri Lanka on a two day visit, met with Foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on Monday (7th March) at the Foreign Ministry.
The visiting European Commissioner said the EU attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka. She added that her current visit was to discuss EU funded post-tsunami reconstruction projects, as well as the EU's role as a co-chair for the peace process.
Commending the Government's approach in treating all the affected people as a whole without discrimination, the EU Commissioner observed it was important to have a decentralized structure for disbursement of reconstruction money. In this regard Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner stressed the importance of a joint mechanism to carry out reconstruction work.
Minister Kadirgamar reiterated the Government's commitment and responsibility to equitable distribution of funds for the tsunami affected without any discrimination, and briefed the Commissioner on the progress made with regard to the continuing discussions with the LTTE for a joint mechanism. He also pointed out that Government authorities have been working on the ground in cooperation with the LTTE even before the tsunami on relief assistance work.
The Foreign Minister took the opportunity to thank the EU for the zero tariff concessions given for Sri Lankan textiles, for which the date of implementation was brought forward by 3 months.
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner announced that the EC representation in Sri Lanka would soon be reverted to a full EC Delegation with an Ambassador in charge.