Donor assistance sought: President to strengthen peace process
 

by Gamini Warushamana

Irrespective of the escalating trend of violence and the setback in the peace process, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seeking donor assistance to strengthen the peace process. Last week President Rajapaksa met the regional Vice President of the World Bank for South Asia, Praful Patel and discussed the possible ways the bank could support the peace process as a development partner.

After meeting with the President, the Head of the government peace negotiation team, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and top officials of the government and concluding his three-day visit in Sri Lanka, Patel addressed a press conference in Colombo. He emphasised the Bank's support for the tattered but officially ongoing peace process, economic growth, social development and poverty reduction in the country.

Patel said that in addition to continuous implementation of ongoing WB projects in Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa had proposed fast tracking the construction of a North-South Highway- a connecting corridor that could demonstrate what can be accomplished in conflict affected areas and development activities in those areas.

The President had sought WB assistance with other development partners for this four track highway. Patel viewed this as an attractive idea and parallel to infrastructure development efforts underway in other parts of the country. Patel expressed WB concerns about the escalating violence in the North East at his meeting with President Rajapaksa and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. Patel said that he was heartened by the President's and Minister Silva's firm commitment towards the peace process.

Patel said that during his meeting with the President they discussed the possibility of holding a development forum by the end of this year, once the government's new development strategy formulated.

Both parties agreed that the formula used in last year's development forum with the best approach for the next development forum, he said.

In the tsunami reconstruction, 84% of the WB funded projects are completed.

Patel was happy about the condition of the new houses built.