Ambassador visits EU funded projects in Sri Lanka
View(s):Ambassador/ Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Bernard Savage, visited the European Union funded projects in Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa earlier this month. Ambassador Savage, who will be completing his term as at the end of August this year, took this opportunity to observe and review the positive contributions made by the European Union over the past few years.
Handing over of tractors to the local authorities in Ampara
The nature of the projects visited indicated the EU’s shift from humanitarian aid and rehabilitation to sustainability in keeping with national priorities. The EU, as one of Sri Lanka’s long standing partners has allocated Rs. 94 billion in development and humanitarian assistance, all in the form of grants except Rs. 25.5 billion from the European Investment Bank (EIB) loans.
The projects visited mainly focused on sectors such as agriculture, livelihoods, environment, education, health, housing etc. Ambassador Savage held several discussions with local government officials, project partners, beneficiaries and communities. Ambassador Savage was accompanied by several members from the EU office as well as media personnel.
The EU will fund the construction of 4000 houses. This project which is partnered with UN-Habitat is the fourth housing construction programme supported by the EU since 2006. Speaking at the inauguration of the EU funded multipurpose building in Weligahakandiya, Batticaloa, Ambassador Savage said “the EU is pleased to note that this livelihood and community infrastructure project will benefit over 4700 households to increase their productivity and income in the long term.”
The renovated multi purpose building and rehabilitated irrigation channel will serve over 300 resettled families in Weligahakandiya village and neighbouring villages to improve their standard of living. Over 12,000 farmers in Mandapathaddi, Batticaloa will benefit in their day to day activities with the opening of a storage facility for paddy. The ERP has also improved urban storm water drainage in Kalmunai and carried out several tree planning campaigns and environmental educational programmes.
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