EU doubles development aid to Sri Lanka

The development assistance to Sri Lanka has nearly been doubled by the European Union to €210 million (approximately Rs. 34 billion) up to 2020 compared to the previous period (2007-2013).

The Colombo Post quoted Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe saying that while the aid granted by the European Union will be aimed at establishing sustainable peace, resettlement of displaced persons, and developing the rural areas. He added that the progress achieved by Sri Lanka over the course of the last 21 months has not failed to gain favor with the European Union.

Wickremesinghe accompanied by the Minister for Law and Order, Sagala Ratnayake met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini in Brussels on Tuesday.

Projetcs including support of the government's reconciliation priorities under the Peacebuilding Priority Plan, the resettlement of Internally Displaced People, assisting transitional justice and building local government capacity, as well as supporting development in Sri Lanka's poorest areas will be financed by the EU.