Australian support for Lankan communities

AUSTRALIA has contributed Rs. 2.8 million towards projects to benefit a range of communities in Sri Lanka. The funds were presented at a ceremony held recently at the Australian High Commission.

The projects focused on income-generation, education and water and sanitation activities for tsunami and war-affected communities were funded under the Direct Aid Program of the Australian High Commission, which supports small-scale development activities with an emphasis on alleviating hardship.

"Australia's aid program in Sri Lanka has more than doubled since the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in 2002", said Australian Deputy High Commissioner Matthew Hyndes, who presented the funds.

The projects included: Income-generation program for tsunami-affected families in Trincomalee, Water and Sanitation Program for 200 rural families in Galle, Technical support for the Eastern Technical Institute in Batticaloa, Small scale income generation program for women in Matale, Income generation program for female-headed households in Mannar, Census of people with disabilities in the Vavuniya District, Construction of an education centre for war-affected children in Batticaloa.

The Australian Government will provide an estimated A$39.8 million in aid to Sri Lanka, including A$10 million in humanitarian funds for relief and recovery activities following the tsunami.

In addition, over A$80 million has been pledged by Australian State Governments and non-governmental organisations for post-tsunami reconstruction.