MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER
AA 03 030 27 May 2003
On my visit to Colombo, I am pleased to announce additional funding of $4.6 million for new rehabilitation and peace-building activities in Sri Lanka over the next two years. This is a tangible demonstration of Australia's support for the peace process, which we recognise is an historic opportunity for Sri Lanka.
During my visit I have meet with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Hon Ranil Wickremasinghe, to discuss the peace process and bilateral issues including development assistance and trade.
The peace negotiators deserve our admiration and congratulations for the progress they have achieved in just six rounds of talks towards establishing a common understanding. The decision of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to suspend participation in the peace process and withdraw from the planned donor conference in Tokyo in June is highly regrettable. I hope the LTTE will quickly abandon this position and re-engage constructively in the peace process and the Tokyo conference.
The $4.6 million in additional funding forms part of a substantial increase in Australian aid to Sri Lanka. Total Australian assistance to Sri Lanka is expected to reach $16.2 million in 2003-2004 - an eight per cent increase on the expected outcome for 2002-2003.
The new funding package will be implemented by NGOs and multilateral organisations under the Sri Lanka-Australia Community Rehabilitation Program. Since 1997, this program has provided significant assistance to communities affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka.
The Program is currently making an important contribution in de-mining and the rehabilitation of former child soldiers. New projects will provide access to clean water, health care, housing and education including vocational training. Rural development and other income-generating activities will also be a focus.
The Sri Lanka-Australia Community Rehabilitation Program reflects the humanitarian priorities that have been identified during the peace negotiations and will benefitall Sri Lankan communities.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's office) (02)
6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489