Australia pledges aid to development projects in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 November 2004, 11:59 GMT]
A High-level delegation of the Government of Australia Monday visited Jaffna district and pledged about five million US Dollar aid to several development projects in the peninsula. The delegation led by Mr.Bruce Billson, a Parliamentary Secretary in the Australian government arrived Palaly by special aircraft Monday, district secretariat sources said.

The delegation comprised Mr.Vincent Sheehy (Advisor to Mr.Billson), Mr.Meg Johnson, AusAid Country Programme Manager, Mr.David Binns, and High Commissioner for Australia in Sri Lanka and Mr.Haooch Barlevi, Project Officer Protection-Landmines.

The delegation went straight to Puttur on their arrival and observed the de-mining work undertaken by the Sri Lanka Army, sources said.

Thereafter the delegation arrived at the Jaffna district secretariat and observed the working of the De-mining Secretariat and held a discussion with officials related to the project. Mr.Tim Horner, Technical Advisor, Co-ordinating Officer, Mr.Elmo Anandarajah, UNICEF Jaffna district representative Ms Judith Bruno and Mr.E.Neson, Officer in UNICEF office.

Mr.Tim Horner briefed the delegation about the activities now being under undertaken in the district. Later the delegation met with the Government Agent and observed the implementation of the Mine Risk Education Project of the Sarvodaya Movement, sources said.

The Australian delegation pledged 1.55 million US Dollars for the De-Mining Projects and other related matters in the district, 2.5 million US Dollars for the Humanitarian Projects proposed by the UNICEF and one million US Dollars for the UNDP projects, sources said.