|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 24 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Arrangements for 70 pc aid for 2004 finalised: Tokyo funds flow in by Ranil Wijayapala and Rajmi Manatunga The Government has already finalised agreements for more than 70 per cent of the aid pledged at the Tokyo donor conference for 2004 despite UNP allegations that no foreign aid is flowing to the country, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday. Funds amounting to US$ 4.5 billion were pledged in Tokyo. Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing, Samaraweera said the UPFA Government has proved that the country is receiving foreign funds even without resuming peace talks with the LTTE as stated by the UNP. "In addition to the aid pledged at the Tokyo donor conference the Japanese Government has offered more aids for development programmes during Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's recent visit to Japan," the Minister said. The Minister said the Government is receiving US $ 53 million for the implementation of the Gemi Diriya program as pledged by the World Bank at the Tokyo donor conference. The World Bank on Wednesday also announced that it has approved a US $ 53 million loan to Sri Lanka to purchase computers for rural areas. The project, to be implemented over five years starting in November, will seek to use computers and other technology to improve the delivery of public services, the World Bank office here said in a statement. "The e-governance programme initiated by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse will also be implemented using the funds from the Tokyo conference," Samaraweera added. The Asian Development Bank has also pledged to fund several development programmes initiated by the Government, he added. The ADB announced that it will be extending US$ 570 million (approx Rs.57 billion) to Sri Lanka over the next two years. This includes annual commitments of US$ 90 million from the ADB's concessional Asian Development Fund, which assists the ADB's poorer members, and a total of US$ 390 million over two years from its ordinary capital resources. The loans will be complemented by US$ 4.9 million in technical assistance grants that will help in the preparation of loan projects. The Government has also received funds from under the Indian Line of Credit, the Minister added. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
