USAID 50 in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) marked its 50th anniversary of partnership with Sri Lanka this year.

A book of "50 Stories for 50 Years" was released at an anniversary event attended by government officials, diplomats, donors, implementing partners, and Sri Lankan beneficiaries. The stories, in English, Sinhala, and Tamil, trace the evolution of US assistance to Sri Lanka over the past five decades.

Since 1956, USAID programs have invested in Sri Lanka working in health, business development, agriculture, and local governance. It has contributed nearly $2 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka.

USAID continues to support work toward a negotiated settlement to the conflict and good governance, economic development, humanitarian assistance, and tsunami reconstruction.

"After fifty years, USAID remains committed to helping build institutions that provide better services and increased incomes to people, and to strengthening the democratic process," Mission Director Dr. Carol Becker said, "More than anything, we have dedicated ourselves over the last half-century to helping educate and empower the people of Sri Lanka. There is no way to document every program we have undertaken during a half-century of partnership," she said.

"So we've chosen to share a collection of stories a success story for every year of partnership - to represent our many activities with Sri Lankans over these 50 years.

USAID is continuing its commitment to helping Sri Lankans recover from the tsunami, which began with immediate relief efforts and now focus on longer tem investments.

USAID provided survivors with clean water, transitional housing, psychological counselling, cash-for-work, small business loans, and technical assistance and commodities to help restore livelihoods.

Now, USAID is helping "build back better" with a new bridge and water systems in Arugam Bay, upgrading three fishing harbours, and building new vocational schools.

The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce began its work in 1993 and provided office space for personell for the USIAD Technology Initiative for the Private Sector (TIPS) and the Agro-Enterprise Development projects in Hambanotata.

The TIPS project helped the Chamber to conduct forums to attract investment to the district. The project sponsored overseas trips to help members learn about the dairy business.

US Charge' d'Affaires James F. Entwistle said "The United States is proud to have assisted in Sri Lanka's development over the last 50 years. We sincerely hope for a peaceful, timely resolution to the current conflict, and we hope that USAID can continue its partnership with Sri Lankans to better their lives.