Saturday, 14 June 2003  
The widest coverage in Sri Lanka.
Politics Today's Top Story
News

Business

Features

Editorial

Security

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

Govt. - LTTE Ceasefire Agreement

Government - Gazette

Silumina  on-line Edition

Sunday Observer

Budusarana On-line Edition





PA raises questionnaire on funds at Tokyo Confab

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The People's Alliance yesterday placed a list of questions which it says should be addressed by the government before the PA can make a full analysis of the pros and cons of the assistance pledged at the Tokyo Donor Conference.

Firstly, it wanted to know what the total quantum of aid was and how this is made up (preferably by year) in terms of grants, loans and others. The PA also wants to know the breakdown of this sum in terms of the multilateral agencies of World Bank, ADB, European Union and others, PA Media Spokesman Dr.Sarath Amunugama told the PA weekly media briefing yesterday.

He said: "We are keen to know the bilateral aid pledged by Japan, United States of America, Nordic and others and the rates of interest in respect of each of the above. The PA also is keen to know about the projects which are being financed under this aid package."

"As to this Tokyo statement, we have a doubt whether this money will be equitably distributed. Therefore the PA would like a breakdown of projects region wise and the conditionalities involved in these loans. Then the public will know the inner details of this loan scheme. Unless we can give these details, it will not be fair for us to comment on whether this is basically a favourable development or not," Amunugama said.

The Prime Minister has pledged to make a statement in Parliament. We would very much welcome his commenting on these matters that we have now put on the agenda, he said.

He said the LTTE has categorically rejected the declaration and the proceedings in Tokyo saying that they have not been consulted and their propositions have not been discussed. There is no way that the LTTE is bound by the conclusion of the Tokyo conference.

Amunugama said the Tokyo statement clearly says that most of the pledges of aid are linked to the peace process. The donors have said that their commitments are based on a viable peace process. Therefore this is a link to the future of the peace process. Money will be released step by step followed by a monitoring and a review by the international community.

Meanwhile, the donor community intends to take it to their careful consideration the results of these periodic reviews. " It is very clear whatever funds have been pledged are linked between donor support and progress in the peace process. So, this is a conditional assistance which will be monitored by Japan, United States and the European Union," he said.

The LTTE has totally rejected the Prime Minister's speech and they also rejected the offer made by the Premier of a provisional administrative structure.

The PA condemn this LTTE rejection of the Prime Minister's offer by saying that their vision of the peace talks has nothing to do what the Premier is offering.

The PA warns the Government and the people to be vigilant and to be quite sure that the security apparatus of the country can face any threats that may arise in the near future, he said.

 

 

www.peaceinsrilanka.org

www.singersl.com

www.crescat.com

www.srilankaapartments.com

www.eagle.com.lk

www.helpheroes.lk


News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries


Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager


Hosted by Lanka Com Services