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| Sunday, 22 June 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Sri Lanka - A role model for peace by Lord Daniel Brennan, QC. The Tokyo Donors Conference confirmed the unique global support for Sri Lanka. 51 countries and 21 international organization pledged aid of USD 4.5 billion over the 4 years 2003 to 2006. They did so on one express condition - completion of the peace process. Richard Armitage, the US Deputy Secretary of State, put it clearly "the price to pay is progress towards peace - and with reasonable movement." Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was forthright about that objective. He spoke of a road map with milestones to the final destination. But he was realistic about the enormous task of reconstruction. The promised aid is essential, but its practical use is just as important. This needed "implementation, implementation and implementation!" The LTTE must be involved. It was very disappointing that the LTTE did not attend the Tokyo meeting. They have their concerns about aid for the North and East. But they should be reassured. Firstly, the Prime Minister proposed a provisional administration system in which the LTTE would have a significant part. Secondly, many donors wanted substantial aid to be targeted to the North and East. Lastly, the Tamil people now know that they will therefore benefit directly from reconstruction. Ambassador Akashi is to pursue urgent contact with LTTE. Hopefully, they will return to the peace process. The donors insist on conditions for aid - understandably as they want their countries' money to be properly spent. They require that the LTTE rejoin the peace process; a defined linkage between funding and progress to peace; effective implementation and an interim administration of the aid. These are fair terms. But the purpose of the USD 4.5 billion over 4 years must be borne in mind. It is directed at major infrastructure requirements; basic public services such as health, education, transport and water; employment including new irrigation schemes in agriculture and humanitarian assistance for internally displaced people and clearance of land mines. The donors wish to decide on what their money is spent. They demand transparency and accountability. The aid must directly benefit the people of Sri Lanka. The government's commitment to sharing these objectives was clear in Tokyo. Leading Ministers, senior civil servants and businessmen combined to show a positive approach to the donors' views. However this donors meting should not be misunderstood. The aid provides essential funding for the building blocks of a new Sri Lanka - especially infrastructure projects over the next 3-5 years. The Tokyo pledges are short term not permanent. It will not produce jobs for all, nor supermarkets everywhere. It provides the platform upon which Sri Lanka can redevelop itself. The long-term future of the country must depend on trade and investment. The private sector is central to future economic development and wealth creation. So the donors' conference was followed by a major Japanese-Sri Lanka Business Forum designed to promote trade for example in the apparel industry and tourism. There was a powerful group of leading businessmen with leaders of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Investment. Their message was open and confident - Sri Lanka is a good place to do business. They confirmed the Prime Minister's aim of reform of regulation, financial systems and laws to streamline business arrangement and produce a market oriented economy. The recent J. P. Morgan report predicts Sri Lanka "could be one of the world's fastest growing economies later in this decade." Sri Lanka can proud of its success at these two meetings in Tokyo. The world in general and Japan in particular, have acknowledged what is good in the country - its literate, industrious and responsible workers, its readiness for reform necessary to promote development and its ability to take the best from the future while preserving its great cultural traditions. Thus Japanese Foreign Minister Kawagachi expressed the hope that Sri Lanka would become a role model for the developing world. She is surely right. The nation and its people now deserve peace and prosperity. Lord Brennan, a member of the UK House of Lords, is a British monitor of Sri Lankan affairs and attended the recent Tokyo aid conference. |
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