GTZ to launch massive development drive

Chaminda Perera

COLOMBO: The German Development and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) will implement a massive development drive in the North and East and the Hambantota District to rehabilitate economical, physical and social infrastructure affected by the conflict and tsunami.

The German Government and NGOs will grant Rs. 1,372 million for the project facilitated and supervised by the Government.

The agreement was signed by Nation Building and Development Ministry Secretary M. S. Jayasinghe and GTZ acting country Director Uta Borges at the Ministry yesterday.

This includes reconstruction of schools, roads, multifunctional community centres and other social infrastructure facilities.

The Ministry will accelerate this process by assisting the early delivery of hightec equipment and maintaining coordination with Government institutions in the areas where the projects are implemented.

Economic Cooperation Development Counsellor, German Embassy Andreas Heartmann said the project's overall aim is to support Governmental actors in implementing sustainable and long term activities that enhance social economic and political potential in the region.

Germany is the fourth largest donor to Sri Lanka after Japan. "We have provided US$ 50,000 million in the first quarter of this year and continue to assist Sri Lanka," he said.

The Ministry Secretary said the project is entirely supervised and coordinated by the state.

"We facilitate the project by clearing bottlenecks with the coordination of Divisional Secretaries in the areas and evaluating the projects," he said.

The funds will also be utilised for the provision of equipment and for the expertise of national and international experts.

This will enhance the planning and management capacities of partners. The funds are expected to be used for training, workshops and conferences in Sri Lanka and for operation and administrative costs.

This project is implemented in the Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Hambantota districts.