WorldBank, ADB to brief media on tsunami reconstruction

[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 February 2006, 15:44 GMT]
The representatives of the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are scheduled to meet the media Monday, February 6, in Colombo to discuss the current state of tsunami and post conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation work. The press conference is to be held in the World Bank office, media sources in Colombo said.

Mr.Peter Harrold, WB Country Director and Mr.Alessandro Pio, ADB Country Director, are expected to focus their briefing on northeast tsunami and rehabilitation and post conflict work.

ADB and WB Country Directors and a representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week postponed their planned visit to Killinochchi to meet the LTTE leadership. They said in a statement released later that the postponement was done in consultation with the government and the LTTE.

"Much hope rests on a successful outcome at the Geneva talks and the agencies did not want to undertake anything that might have a negative impact on the buildup to this event. A technical team has proceeded to Killinochchi to review implementation of ongoing tsunami and post conflict recovery programs," the statement further said.

The statement added, "They reiterate their commitment to play their appropriate role in supporting the peace process in Sri Lanka as peace is the key to sustainable poverty reduction for all Sri Lankans. In particular they would like to ensure the provision of support from the ADB, United Nations and the World Bank for the restoration of livelihoods and humanitarian support in the conflict affected areas of Sri Lanka."

External Links:

WB:

Aid, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka