Australian support for rural Sri Lanka

AID: Australian High Commissioner, Dr Greg French, presented funds to the recipients of the High Commission Direct Aid Programme (DAP) in a ceremony on May 4.

French said 'DAP projects are small scale development activities granted to the most disadvantaged groups from all communities to alleviate hardships.

The focus is on immediate results so that the communities are able to reap the benefits of the programmes without delay.'

The Direct Aid Programme provides funds to support organisations which assist the disadvantaged in Sri Lanka. In the past DAP has supported programmes to assist female headed households, children, the disabled, the elderly and the rural poor, among others. Projects are located across the country.

The projects funded in the current round included; A Sarana Foundation water and sanitation programme in Tangalle, construction of a new sales centre for the Central Council of Disabled Persons in Bandarawela to support employment for the disabled members of the Council, construction of cultivation wells and home gardening by the Women's Development Society at Anuradhapura and construction of an overhead water tank for the children of the Sith Sevana Mentally Handicapped Children's Development Society in Tanamalvila.