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The World Bank has awarded a US$2.0 million credit to Sri Lanka for a distance learning project, which will create specialised training opportunities for senior decision-makers in the public and private sectors. The project will provide the necessary training and equipment to enable interactive multi-media and internet-based learning programmes. The distance learning Project is a Learning and Innovation Loans support small pilot type investment and capacity-building project which will provide senior public and private sector decision-makers with most modern training materials, case studies, and technical information in key areas of development. Real-time distance learning course modules relayed by satellite from international universities will help strengthen corporate management in Sri Lanka while access to international best practice will help the private sector to effectively compete in the global economy. "The distance Learning Centre Project will be part of a sustainable network of interactive classrooms in some fifty centres around the world with full voice, video and data connectivity to the different centres. It will be designed as a node in the World Bank-sponsored Global Distance Learning Network," said Naresha Duraiswamy, the Institutional Development Specialist and Task Leader for the project. "This project will convene experts from around the globe in a distance learning environment to discuss the leading issues facing Sri Lanka's development in a timely and cost effective manner". The distance Learning project will establish systematic access to Internet-based learning programmes of leading universities and agencies around the world. Improved access to global knowledge on relevant development topics will enhance the capacity of Sri Lankan decision-makers to plan and implement reform programmes. Sri Lanka will be better positioned to bridge the digital devoid, reduce the knowledge gap and participate in the information-based economy. Total costs for the project are US$3.0 Million, of which the government of Sri Lanka will contribute US$1.0 million. The US$2.0 million equivalent interest free credit is provided to the government of Sri Lanka by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionaire lending affiliate, on standard IDA terms with 40 years maturity and a ten-year grace period.
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