USAID marks 50 years of partnership with Sri Lanka [Friday, July 14, 2006 - 9.40 GMT]

“50 stories for 50 years” book outlines benefits to Sri Lankans since 1956 resulting from partnerships and $2 billion in assistance

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) marked its 50^th anniversary of partnership with Sri Lanka this year.  A book of “50 stories for 50 years” was released at an anniversary event attended by government officials, diplomats, donors, implementing partners, and Sri Lankan beneficiaries.  The stories, in English, Sinhala, and Tamil, trace the evolution of US assistance to Sri Lanka over the past five decades.

Since 1956, USAID programs have invested in Sri Lankans – working in health, business development, agriculture, and local governance.  To date, these activities have totaled nearly $2 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka.  USAID continues to support work toward a negotiated settlement to the conflict and good governance, economic development, humanitarian assistance, and tsunami reconstruction.

 “After fifty years, USAID remains committed to helping build institutions that provide better services and increased incomes to people, and to strengthening the democratic process,” Mission Director Dr. Carol Becker said.  “More than anything, we have dedicated ourselves over the last half-century to helping educate and empower the people of Sri Lanka.  There’s no way to document every program we have undertaken during a half-century of partnership,” she said.  “So we’ve chosen to share a collection of stories – a success story for every year of partnership – to represent our many activities with Sri Lankans over these 50 years.

USAID is continuing its commitment to helping Sri Lankans recover from the tsunami, which began with immediate relief efforts and now focus on longer term investments.  USAID provided survivors with clean water, transitional housing, psychological counseling, cash-for-work, small business loans, and technical assistance and commodities to help restore livelihoods.  Now, USAID is helping “build back better” with a new bridge and water systems in Arugam Bay, upgrading three fishing harbors, and building new vocational schools.

Looking back to USAID’s assistance in founding the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce, keynote speaker Azmi Thassim recalled that in 1992, USAID began providing technical assistance to local entrepreneurs through the Private Sector Policy Support project.  It became apparent that the district would benefit from having a chamber of commerce, so USAID provided technical advice on how to establish a chamber, and office equipment to get the new Chamber started.

The Chamber began its work in 1993 and provided office space for personnel for the USAID Technology Initiative for the Private Sector (TIPS) and the Agro-Enterprise Development projects in Hambantota.  The TIPS project helped the Chamber to conduct forums to attract investment to the district.  The project sponsored overseas trips to help members learn about the dairy business.  “USAID did things properly – they provided advice, not just a check,” Mr. Thassim said. “The advice we received from USAID was more valuable than someone giving us a gift and then leaving.”

The story of the Hambantota chamber is just one of 50 that comprise the “50 stories for 50 years” book.  From vintage photographs from the early years to digital documentation of recent programs, the stories highlight the Sri Lankans who joined in partnership and who benefited from assistance.  The press conference was attended by several USAID beneficiaries, who offered first-hand accounts of the impact of American assistance on their lives.

U.S. Charge’ d’Affaires James F. Entwistle said “The United States is proud to have assisted in Sri Lanka’s development over the last 50 years.  We sincerely hope for a peaceful, timely resolution to the current conflict, and we hope that USAID can continue its partnership with Sri Lankans to better their lives.

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Last Updated Date: July 14, 2006 -9.40 GMT