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Donors reaffirm commitment to rebuilding Sri Lanka

Bharatha Malawaraarachchi reporting from Tokyo

Donor countries and agencies participating in the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka concluded here yesterday pledged financial assistance amounting to US dollars 4.5 billion and assured the profound support of the international community for establishing lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

The Declaration adopted by the 51 participating nations and 22 international organisations at the termination of the conference yesterday affirmed "commitment to the reconstruction and development of Sri Lanka" and called upon all segments of Sri Lankan society to "redouble their efforts to make further progress in the peace process". The amount includes one billion dollars each from Japan and the Asian Development Bank and 293 million dollars from the European Union (EU). "This is by far the most successful Sri Lanka aid meeting in our history", Finance Minister K.N. Choksy said. "The support to our country was overwhelming," he added.

"This tangible contribution is a vote of confidence in Sri Lanka," said Japan's envoy Yasushi Akashi during the conference closing ceremony.

"I think the message from the conference is very clear, very strong and it's a unanimous message from the international community for the return of LTTE to the peace process," Akashi said.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the aid pledged would "lay the foundation for realisation of our goal of a peaceful Sri Lanka in which all people could live in harmony, peace and dignity."

The quantum of aid pledged for Sri Lanka is equivalent to the amount provided by the international community to re-build Afghanistan. Adopting a declaration at the end of the conference, the donor countries and organisations also urged the LTTE to return to the peace talks as soon as possible to allow the people in the conflict - affected areas of North and East to enjoy the dividends of peace.

The conference commenced on Monday at the Akasaka Prince Hotel, Tokyo with the participation of ministers and representatives from 51 countries and 22 international organisations.

The cumulative estimated amount of assistance will be in excess of US dollars 4.5 billion for a four year period from 2003 - 2006. In addition, some countries and international organizations have offered technical support.

Others have indicated that their commitments are based upon the continuation of a viable peace process. Several countries and international organisations have specified assistance to the North and East. A number of them have indicated that the disbursement of such assistance will keep pace with satisfactory progress in the peace process and others have indicated that given such progress they would be willing to consider making additional commitments.

The unique feature of the event was the participation of representatives from a larger number of countries and international organisations than anticipated. The aid will be in grants as well as concessionary loans.

The participants expressed their regret over the absence of the LTTE. The declaration described that the conference provides the Government of Sri Lanka with an opportunity to reaffirm its determination to pursue the peace process, and focus on the reconstruction and development of Sri Lanka.

The conference urged the parties to move expeditiously to a lasting and equitable political settlement and that such a settlement should be based upon respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

"In this regard, the conference looks forward to the parties reaching an early agreement on a human rights declaration as discussed at the sixth session of peace talks at Hakone.

"The declaration noted that the assistance by the donor community must be closely linked to substantial and parallel progress in the peace process towards fulfilment of the objectives agreed upon by the parties in Oslo. In view of the linkage between donor support and progress in the peace process, the international community will monitor and review the progress in the peace process.

"There has to be measurable movement toward peace," US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said as the conference approved the declaration.

"We expect you to disburse this assistance fairly, equitably with transparency, accountability, and above all, with respect to human rights," he said in a message.

"We are convinced that this conference will bring a very important signal to LTTE that they should come back to the negotiating table," EU ambassador to Tokyo Bernhard Zepter told reporters after the conference..

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