EU gives Euro 16 m to Sri Lanka

The delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives announced that the European Commission has formally adopted the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2010 for Euro 16 million (Rs 2.4 billion) in grant assistance to Sri Lanka.

The Euro 16 million made available under this program has been allocated for supporting livelihoods and community infrastructure in the Northern and Eastern districts.

This new program adds up to the ongoing Euro 52.2 million grant assistance package allocated to Sri Lanka by the European Union under its European Union’s Assistance to Conflict Affected People (EU-ACAP) supporting the early recovery and rehabilitation in the North and the East.

The Euro 16 million proposed AAP 2010 is further in addition to the Euro 10 million provided for humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka by the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid Office.

This grant will be key in establishing linkages between the humanitarian assistance and medium to long-term development assistance for those communities and districts in the Northern and Eastern provinces benefitting from the European Union’s support.

The Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives will launch a Call for Proposals shortly inviting project proposals to be financed under the Annual Action Plan 2010.

Strong emphasis will be put on ensuring the link with earlier humanitarian and relief assistance and on aligning with the Government of Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development plans at central and regional level. Press Office