EU delegation commends development in East

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Head of the visiting European Parliamentary Delegation for Relations With South Asia, Jean Lambert said Sri Lanka's agenda has moved rapidly from the humanitarian operation aspect to development.

Jean Lambert made this observation at a press conference at the Hilton in Colombo yesterday.

She said the delegation learned long term detainees have reduced from 600 to 230 since last year.

"The East is developing fast in areas including education, medical services, irrigation services etc. she said, adding that a commendable job has been made in school building as well."

Lambert said the people need economic development as well as to involve in decision making. She remarked that some people said they still have problems in land titles.

The European Parliament welcomes the LLRC report and its recommendations were positive, but the delegation was surprised that the LLRC report was not available in all the three languages used in Sri Lanka, Lambert said. She said the delegation visited the Eastern Province to observe the challenges the area faces in the return to normality and the manner in which the EU contributes to the development of the province by the projects it co-funds, mainly in the health and education sectors.

Head of Delegation European Union to Sri Lanka and Maldives Ambassador Bernard Savage and Phillippe Kamaris also participated.