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| Sunday, 15 June 2003 |
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Tokyo aid : N-E political leaders call for equitable distribution of funds by P. Krishnaswamy Leaders of political parties representing the North and East called for the equitable distribution of the funds pledged by the donor countries at the recent Tokyo conference. A majority of them stressed the need for active participation of the LTTE in utilisation of the funds for development and other related activities in the two provinces, pointing out that it would otherwise be a ineffective exercise. They also stated that the resumption of the peace process would be a pre-requisite for the purpose. Excerpts of their views: V. Anandasangari MP, leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF): "It is a moral duty of any government that accepts donations for the benefit of families of a region that faced great calamities to spend it for that specific purpose. The country in general and the North-East in particular faced grave problems due to the war. A good number of border villages were seriously affected. We consider it the sacred duty of the Government to ensure that the aid is distributed equitably for development and rehabilitation activities which, in turn, will please the donor countries and encourage them to extend further assistance. It is also the duty of everyone involved in the process to hold the scales evenly and ensure that no complaint is received from any quarter. The LTTE which is a party to the peace process, should be enabled to play an important role in the process. " A. Vinayagamoorthy MP, leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC): "The present Government entered into a ceasefire agreement with the LTTE on February 22, 2002 after prolonged discussions. We do not think that anything can be achieved by by-passing the LTTE. That strategy was tried by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga three years back unsuccessfully. Let that not be repeated and let the Government come to an understanding with the LTTE before spending the funds on development works. Our victory in the last general elections was because we openly admitted them as sole representatives of the Tamil people. Just because the LTTE was not present at the Tokyo donor conference it must not be assumed that the international community has given this colossal amount solely to the Government. The Government must come to terms with the LTTE on the utilisation of the funds." Selvam Adaickalanathan MP, leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO): "The Tamil sector had a significant role in the granting of aid by the donor countries. Uncertainty prevails on what quantum of it would be utilised for rehabilitation and related development activities in the North and East. We have our bitter experiences of the past. Funds to the tune of US $ 70 million received as assistance for North-East development after LTTE participation in the conference of donor countries could not be utilised for the purpose. There are constitutional provisions for anyone to file an application in the SC seeking an interim order to block the fund on the ground that it was not being utilised properly. Anyone in the South can do it. First of all the President and the Prime Minister should reach a consensus on the interim administrative structure demanded by the LTTE. We are certain that the LTTE will return to the peace process when all that was agreed to in the past get implemented." T. Sitharthan MP, leader of the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE): "The conference of the donor countries was based on the peace process. The international community extended financial assistance hoping that peace will dawn in Sri Lanka and the funds will be spent to build up mutual trust. A major portion of the money must be spent in the development of the Northern and Eastern provinces which are destroyed by war. Only by allocating a major portion of the money for the North and East can the Government win the confidence of both the Tamil people and the international community." M. L. A. M. Hisbullah MP, Senior Deputy Leader, National Unity Alliance (NUA): "In the absence of an administrative structure with adequate powers, nothing can be done either with regard to utilisation of the funds or undertaking development activities in the North and East. But the reality today is that anything tangible cannot be given under the present constitution. Any power structure outside the constitution can be challenged in the Supreme Court. The Government should talk to the President and all political parties represented in the parliament in order to reach a consensus on a power structure for the North and East acceptable to those concerned. All efforts should be made to put the peace process back on track so that the Government and the LTTE can reach a consensus on the form of power structure. That will be a pre-requisite for utilisation of funds being received from the donor countries. The LTTE should be in a position to play an important role with regard to rehabilitation, resettlement and development activities in the respective Northern and Eastern areas." S. Subairdeen, Chairman, Ashraff Congress: " We are of the view that the LTTE should return to the peace process in order to persuade the Government over their just aspirations. The Government is encountering constitutional constrains in considering the power structure demanded by the LTTE. This is a matter that has to be taken up with the President and the Opposition in the best interests of the country. The donor countries have extended assistance mainly for rebuilding the wartorn North and East. A major part of the funds should be utilised for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people, both Tamils and Muslims. As much as the Northern province was affected by war, the Eastern province was affected by constant waves of violence. Therefore, it is nothing but fair to utilise funds from the donor countries proportionately to develop North, East and the other parts of the country. It is the general opinion of every peace loving citizen that the LTTE should be brought back to the negotiatory process in order to ensure lasting peace in the country. " S. Thavarajah (former MP), Spokesman, Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP): "We are of the view that aid pledged by the international community for rehabilitation, resettlement and development activities in the North and East should be utilised with the active participation of all political parties concerned." ######## Three pillars behind overall development by Don Asoka Wijewardena World Bank President,James D.Wolfensohl addressing the Tokyo Donor Conference has stated that Sri Lanka will have three pillars behind its overall development, and peace,growth and equity can pay rich dividends with desired results. The Tokyo Donor parley which was attended by nearly 32 countries has come forward to provide a direct grant of 4.5 billion US dollars and 800 million US dollars from this aid package provided by the World Bank will be a loan with minimal interest rate and period of repayment has not been finalised. A senior official of the government told the "Sunday Observer" that 1.5 billion US dollars from the total grant 4.5 billion would be allocated for the North-East rehabilitation,restoration and reconstruction projects and the balance of 3 billion US dollars would be mainly utilised to develop the other five economic regions of the country. Countries and Institutions that have granted money to Sri Lanka as aid are: Japan - 1 billion US dollars for the next three years Asian Development Bank (ADB) - 1 billion US dollars over four years European Union (EU) - 260 million US dollars over four years United States of America - 54 million US dollars for the next four years International Monetary Fund (IMF) - 567 million US dollars for Poverty Reduction and Growth Fund (PRGF) World Bank (WB) - 800 million US dollars as a loan with minimal interest rate |
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