PM to meet WB President next month

[TamilNet, Friday, 30 August 2002, 21:54 GMT]
A government delegation led by Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe is to visit several countries seeking foreign aid for the development of the island soon after the first round of direct peace talks commenced at Thailand in mid September, Constitutional Affairs Minister Mr. G.L.Peiris said Friday. During his visit to United States of America, the Prime Minister is to confer with the World Bank President regarding the proposed aid to the country, he said.

"The Sri Lanka will announce that it is open for business after two decades of war following the commencement of peace talks at Thailand .At the same time the government would sit with the LTTE to find a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict," Minister Peiris added.

The World Bank has already indicated to Sri Lanka that it would only consider providing financial aid if the UNF government takes meaningful steps to ensure peace and stability in the country.