World Bank launches Public Information Centre

[February 15, 2006 - 9.30 GMT]

Minister of Mass Media and Information Anura Priyadharshana Yapa in a simple but traditional Sri Lankan Ceremony yesterday officially declared open the World Bank’s Public Information Centre.  Peter Harrold, Country Director for the World Bank presented the first copy of the Sri Lanka Country Assistance Strategy Progress Report to the Minister at this ceremony.

The centre located at the Bank premises will hold a reference collection of development publications, operational and project documents and provide free access to information on CD-ROMs and online Data bases such as World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance and a library on three computer work stations. The Information centre will be the main dissemination point for information on World Bank activities in Sri Lanka and serve as a public space for dialogue on development issues.

The concept of the Information Centre fits perfectly with the Government’s vision of a new Sri Lanka said the Minister in his address at the event. Commending the Bank for the tremendous assistance to Sri Lanka in her journey towards sustainable development, the Minister said hoped this centre would enhance the operational quality and effectiveness of the Bank. 

The Minister also launched the Public Information website and looked at the Sinhala language version of the Country Assistance Progress Report on the Bank website at www.worldbank.org/lk.

Peter Harrold, speaking at the ceremony noted that much had happened in Sri Lanka since the original Country Assistance Strategy [CAS] was presented in 2003:  the devastating tsunami left behind widespread destruction and loss of life, the peace process had stalled and is now at last revived, and the poverty reduction strategy of the country had undergone a significant realignment.  "Despite all these changes, the core CAS themes of supporting peace, growth and equity remain as valid as ever, and are perfectly in line with the priorities of the Government," he said. 

"Peace is the foundation for sustainable poverty reduction; growth needs to rise in order to make a real dent on poverty, and equity must be addressed so that the poor in the more distant regions of Sri Lanka can also participate in the growth process, and no longer be left behind," said Peter Harrold.

Copies of the Sri Lanka Country Assistance Strategy Progress Report are available free of charge at the Public Information Centre at World Bank Office, Level 2, 73/5 Galle Road, which will be open from Monday to Thursday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00-4:00 pm. 

 

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Last Updated Date: February 15, 2006 - 9.30 GMT