Norwegian support to Southern Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer and Ambassador Hans Brattskar participated in the opening ceremonies of Buddhist temples and in the establishment of a credit guarantee fund for the Southern region in Galle.

Special Envoy Hanssen-Bauer and Ambassador Brattskar attended the opening ceremony of two Buddhist temples damaged by the tsunami in Galle on August 9.

On the same day they attended the signing ceremony to establish a credit guarantee fund for the Southern region and also visited new roads constructed with Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs funding, states Norwegian Embassy press release.

As part of Norway's continued support to the tsunami affected people the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided approximately Rs. 200 million for the reconstruction of 32 Buddhist temples in Southern Sri Lanka and 35 religious buildings in the East, including Buddhist Temples, Hindu Kovils, Mosques and Churches.

Two Temples were officially reopened on August 9. The first ceremony took place at 9 a.m. at Padumagabharamaya, Peraliya, Hikkaduwa, Galle. The second ceremony was scheduled for 11 a.m. at Rathanodaramaya, Rathgama, Hikkaduwa, Galle. The Norwegian Government has furthermore agreed to provide Rs. 250 million to establish a credit guarantee fund for the Southern region.

The members of the five Chambers of Commerce in the Southern region (Matara, Galle, Hambantota, Moneragala and Rathnapura) will benefit from the fund, which will provide credit guarantee from commercial banks without heavy collateral to start new businesses and to expand existing SMEs.