US PROMISES DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

Despite pressuring Sri Lanka on issues of accountability and judicial independence, the United States promised yesterday to continue development assistance and initiate “access - to - justice” programmes. Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Asia Bureau of USAID Denise Rollins, overseeing USAID funded initiatives in the country said, although the US is concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka this would not impede their positive contribution to Sri Lanka.

“We have voiced our concerns, but don’t want to be seen as merely throwing stones at

The US will continue to pressurise Sri Lanka and raise the issues of concern, but this does not mean there would be a withdrawal of our assistance.

Sri Lanka and want to contribute positively to Sri Lanka. We have addressed the issue of the impeachment of the Chief Justice, but are also interested in strengthening the legal system. USAID announced a $4.5 million programme to support the Government of Sri Lanka’s main policy objectives to promote social integration and economic development by fo- cusing on access to justice,’ Ms. Rollins said.

“An integral element of this goal is an efficient legal system that meets the needs of the people of this country. The programme will focus on technical assistance and training to judges and court administrators,” she said.

With regard to the US withdrawal from aid commitments in Sri Lanka, in the event of the government’s failure to satisfactorily address issues of accountability, Ms. Rollins said, political concerns would not result in a withdrawal of aid.

“The US will continue to pressurise Sri Lanka and raise the issues of concern, but this does not mean there would be a withdrawal of our assistance. It is very unlikely that political pressure will impact development aid, at this point. Our assistance focuses on the most vulnerable populations and we do not believe they should suffer,” she said.

Referring to the accusation that USAID’s ground level staff were creating dissent among rural populations, she said the work of USAID was self-evident.

“Don’t believe everything you hear. We are very transparent and anyone is welcome to look into our assistance programmes. Our work speaks for itself,” Ms. Rollins said.