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Education Ministry re-negotiates Rs. 7 billion World Bank deal

by Manjula Fernando

Education authorities have commenced re-negotiations with World Bank officials in an attempt to halt the withdrawal of funds amounting to Rs 3.5 billion that have been allocated for infrastructure and other development projects in over 10,000 schools around the country.

According to Education, Human Resources Development and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, only half the Rs. seven billion World Bank funds has been used during the past three-and-half years.

Nothing had been done during the first 18 months, the Minister told a media briefing on Friday at the Ministerial complex.

The five-year General Education Development Project II aimed at pivotal upgrading projects in the education system such as curricula development, restructuring of schools, quality input, school library development, development of management systems - financial matters and research studies.

Ministry Secretary V.K. Nananayakkara attributed this situation to the inefficiency, mismanagement and lack of attention of the Provincial Councils.

"Our attempt is to ask the World Bank for a much longer period to implement better projects using the balance," said Project Director D. Basnayake. Only 18 months is left for the conclusion of the project.

Ministry officials have commenced negotiations with a visiting World Bank team to get an extension for the duration of the project, said Mr. Basnayake.

Sri Lanka has been considered as a country which does not use foreign funds in an appropriate manner, said Minister Kodituwakku.

"We will change this negative attitude towards Sri Lanka," he stressed.

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