Australia gives $ 35.6m for development

The Australian Government will provide an estimated $35.6 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2009-10. The announcement was made as part of the Australian federal budget delivered on May 12 which included a total of $3.8 billion in total global Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2009-10.

This represents an increase of 5.6 percent over the 2008-09 budget of $3.7 billion.

Australia's estimated $35.6 million contribution to development in Sri Lanka will include up to $7 million to continue work at the community level to assist with rehabilitation, primarily across northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

Australia will also help Sri Lanka improve its capacity to manage natural resources, assist in strengthening basic education and provide scholarships to candidates for study in priority sectors.

A key element of Australia's aid would be support for humanitarian and refugee programs.

This will include the provision of essential humanitarian support to civilians who have been displaced as a result of conflict in the north.

Australia has already committed over $23.5 million for humanitarian activities in Sri Lanka since December 2008.