The Government's focus will be mainly on national and rural infrastructure development at the January 29-30 Sri Lanka Development Forum in Galle. The forum will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said, writes Hiran H. Senewiratne, Daily News, Colombo 250107 at http://www.dailynews.lk/.
Forwarded by Budhi Mulyawan 250107.

The theme of the Forum will be 'Mahinda Chinthana' Vision for a New Sri Lanka- a 10 -year development horizon framework for 2006-2016. It will be held at the Light House Hotel.

"Galle has been selected as the conference venue considering the fact that it is one of the worst hit district in the 2004 tsunami. It is also important in the context that some of the mega infrastructure projects have been initiated in the South under the Mahinda Chintana," Deputy Minister Siyambalapitiya said at a media briefing about the Donor Conference.

The Minister said that a document to be presented at the Forum sets out the medium term strategies of the Government based on the "Mahinda Chinthana".

Another document will also be presented on Post-Tsunami Recovery which will enable donor representatives to assess the progress in that field, he said.

Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B Jayasundera said the Forum will provide an opportunity to engage in a wider consultation process with all the stakeholders on a number of important areas.

It will also focus on sectoral vision and strategies of the Ten Year Development Horizon Framework for 2006-2016, Assessment of Post 2005 Development Challenges and Emerging issues, Gama Neguma and the Development of lagging regions and partnership in development and peace.

Dr. Jayasundera said that in 2006 foreign aid utilisation was US$ 1 billion and this year it is expected to reach US $ 1.5 billion with all infrastructure projects in place. All political and economic challenges will be discussed at length at the forum.

He also said that since the Government has undertaken major infrastructure development projects, their viability would also be discussed.

Dr. Jayasundera said that in 2006 foreign aid utilisation was US$ 1 billion and this year it is expected to reach US $ 1.5 billion with all infrastructure projects in place. All political and economic challenges will be discussed at length at the forum.

He also said that since the Government has undertaken major infrastructure development projects, their viability would also be discussed.

"This process provides ample proof for the fact that the Government is committed to formulate its policies in a transparent manner while promoting greater discussion on them. This is also very unique in the sense that it is the first time the Government has been able to release a draft policy document which can be subjected to greater debate and consultation process before finalisation," he said.

The process will further enable the development partners to identify the priority sectors of the Government in its medium term development framework so that their assistance could be channelled towards ensuring the achievement of maximum benefits, Dr Jayasundera said.

More than 200 participants are expected to attend the event including development partners of Sri Lanka, diplomats, Cabinet Ministers, key Government officials and other organisations including business chambers, trade unions and NGOs.

Development partners including World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and UN representatives will participate.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment!