Australian support for development projects

The Australian Government through its Direct Aid Programme (DAP) donated nearly Rs. 3 million to support projects in Sri Lanka.

Australian High Commissioner, Kathy Klugman, presented the funds worth Rs 3 million to beneficiaries at a ceremony yesterday.

Klugman said the High Commission takes great pride in the Programme as it provides direct benefits to those most in need including women, children, disabled, conflict-affected persons, elderly and other disadvantaged groups.

The Direct Aid Programme is aimed primarily at small-scale development activities that fully involve beneficiaries in the identification, design and management of the activities.

In the current funding round, the High Commission will support the National Cancer Institute to transport two containers of hospital equipment from Australia for a new ward at the National Cancer Hospital in Maharagama, the Centre for Women and Development in Jaffna for an income generation project to provide support to 800 women, and the Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development in Matara for a home gardening and a self employment project for tsunami-affected women.