The Hindu : World Bank to play a role

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 09, 2003

International

International

World Bank to play a role

By V.S. Sambandan

NAKORN PATHOM (Thailand) Jan. 8. International presence in the Sri Lankan peace process is set to increase in the coming months with the World Bank likely to be the custodian of the funds to be raised jointly by the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at international donor conferences for the reconstruction of the battle-scarred northeast.

"The World Bank is going to play a role with regard to the northeast reconstruction fund. The details will be announced tomorrow'', the head of the Government delegation, G.L. Peiris, told the press here today.

During the third day's negotiations, the two sides had taken up the task of finalising the "programme of action for rehabilitation and development plans. What is emerging is a very complete plan, with distinct time-frames, capable of being verified and monitored'', Prof. Peiris said.

Another dimension of the stepping up of international presence in the peace process is the scheduled participation of the former head of the Amnesty International, Ian Martin, in next month's peace talks.

The steadily increasing international presence is to be seen against the backdrop of the LTTE's continued pursuit for legitimacy from major global powers.

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