USAID:  50 Years of partnership for development in Sri Lanka [Friday, July 7, 2006 - 11.30 GMT]

By Dr. Carol Becker

It is with great pride that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) commemorates 50 years of development partnership in Sri Lanka.  The landmark cooperation agreement between the United States Government and the Government of Ceylon was signed in April, 1956.  

Through five decades of assistance, USAID has contributed nearly $2 billion to Sri Lanka, working in the areas of economic growth, agricultural development, environment and natural resources, health, education and training, democracy and governance, peace building, and humanitarian assistance.

Today, USAID remains committed to building institutions and systems to providing better services and higher incomes to people, and strengthening the democratic process.  But more than anything, USAID has been committed to educating and empowering people over the last half century.  The assistance has been wide ranging, focusing on the development needs of the time and the capabilities that the United States has offer to solve the particular problems of the day.  In all these endeavors, our goal has been to provide Sri Lankans with the tools to move forward both as individuals and as a nation to shape their development future.

USAID has contributed to Sri Lanka’s economic growth with activities designed to reduce unemployment, develop financial markets, expand trade and investment, and improve the ability of export industries to compete in global markets.  USAID helped improve transportation systems in Sri Lanka through railway and highway development, and increased access to housing for low-income families.

Initially, assistance consisted of project aid, food aid, and housing loan guarantees.  About half of the project aid went toward the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Program, with the balance for a range of technical assistance, training, commodity and local cost support activities in agriculture, health and family planning, private enterprise, and education sectors.   

The U.S. helped develop the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka through projects that helped increase agricultural diversity and productivity, introduce improved techniques to farmers, and enhance agro-business marketing capacity.  Contributions to the environment in Sri Lanka include encouraging clean air and energy efficiency, strengthening biological diversity and protecting the coastline and coastal resources.

Health initiatives included reducing the incidence of malaria, increasing nutrition, and improving water and sanitation systems.  USAID contributed to improving secondary and university education in Sri Lanka, and supported targeted programs in vocational education and job training.

The Democracy and Governance program continues to strengthen democratic institutions, support peace, and build the capacity of civil society.  Peace building initiatives help communities increase collaboration between diverse groups to promote peace.

Humanitarian Assistance provides high quality, holistic services to people traumatized by armed conflict, and support for the disabled.  Additionally, food assistance has been supplied to Sri Lanka since the beginning years of U.S. assistance.

Since 2002 a special program of USAID, has worked to bring the multi-ethnic communities of Sri Lanka together to improve public support for a negotiated peace settlement. The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) provides small grants implemented through local partners to help identify local priorities and work collaboratively to address these needs --making decisions, managing resources and solving problems as a diverse group. Media and information-related activities give citizens greater confidence to participate in the national debate. By promoting dialogue and debate on issues like power sharing or the cease-fire agreement, the program helps change attitudes that sustain the conflict. 

The priorities of U.S. assistance to Sri Lanka changed dramatically following the destruction of the December 2004 tsunami.  In the wake of this tragedy lies the challenge of rebuilding the lives of the survivors and their destroyed communities.

The key to our success is USAID’s longstanding field presence and approach to development. By using the ongoing opportunity to build lasting relationships, to understand root causes of a country’s development challenges and to recognize people’s needs, traditions and culture before designing and providing assistance, we foster country ownership and sustainability.  

Our presence on the ground in areas affected by the tsunami afforded USAID the opportunity to be among the first to provide emergency assistance to the survivors.  In the initial relief phase, we provided food and basic living supplies, constructed 10,000 transitional shelters, supplied the displaced with clean water and sanitation facilities, and organized psychological counseling for the traumatized, especially children.  We also developed micro-finance programs to restore livelihoods.

Longer-term reconstruction programs include reconstruction of the Arugam Bay Bridge and the surrounding water systems, construction or rehabilitation of 10 vocational educational schools, and improvements to damaged fishing harbors in Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, and Puranawella.  In all, the U.S. contribution to tsunami relief and reconstruction totaled $134 million.

Ultimately, the American and Sri Lankan men and women, from USAID Mission staff and partner organizations, have made our development projects successful.  Our investment in people has been the hallmark of our work together.  While funding has fluctuated over the fifty years, our role has continued to be as a catalyst for change – helping Sri Lankans take development risks and focus on innovation as a means of achieving sustainable long term development.

As we look to the future, we hope that those lives, livelihoods and opportunities devastated by more than twenty years of conflict, those families, possessions and jobs destroyed by the tsunami, and those who remain in poverty will share in the next wave of Sri Lanka’s development progress.  USAID is committed to continue to work in partnership with Sri Lanka to ensure that the benefits of peace and prosperity are enjoyed by all Sri Lankans.  

Dr. Carol Becker is Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. 

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Last Updated Date: July 7, 2006 -11.30 GMT