The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20051228171947/http://www.usaid.gov:80/lk/
USAID|Sri Lanka : Aid from the American PeopleSkip repetitive navigation bars
  home about the mission country profile programs partners business opportunities newsroom library tsunami response
blue and yellow lines

Welcome

Muslim school children walk pass the building of the Poly-clinic for IDP/Host Community in Pallivasalthurai in the Puttalam District on Friday 14 May 2004.  The aim of the clinic is to cater for 728 Muslims, 93 Sinhalese and 80 Tamil families from 5 local villages and 802 Muslim IDP families from 11 relocated villages.  This will thus, ease tensions between the host community and the IDP’s in the area, as well as improving relations between inhabitants and the Government sector; enabling the people to identify the value of peace benefits. Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe
red line
What's New

USAID/Sri Lanka Tsunami Update (2 Dec 05)
Introduction of new technology promises boost to coir industry (16 Nov 05)
U.S. Supports Sri Lankan Election Monitoring (14 Nov 05)
OTI Hot Topics (Oct 05)
USAID/Sri Lanka Tsunami Update
(12 Oct 05)
USAID/Sri Lanka Tsunami Update (28 Sep 05)
Youth Parliament brings bright young minds together for a better future in Sri Lanka (Sep 05)
Fishermen and Tradesmen to Benefit from U.S. Funded $33 Million Contract for Post-Tsunami Infrastructure Projects (8 Sep 05)
OTI Grants by Sector (Aug 05, pdf)


AID in Action

Dishanti Surankika, happy in her newly-recovered ring and necklace.  Photo: USAID/Gemunu Amarasinghe

Presidential host finds bittersweet fortune
“I have had so much help and good luck since the tsunami,” Suranjika said after she recovered the jewelry. “I still miss my brother too much, but he is with me here in spirit." Suranjika said she will never forget the kindness displayed by the American supporters of her village, especially from President Clinton. Her eyes widen when she recalls the former president, and says she’s writing him a letter. “He promised me he’d come back to Sri Lanka.” [AID in Action, Jul05]


Tsunami News
Gordon De Silva (right) of the Coir Cluster explains how a new husk decorticator will improve efficiency of coir production to Jeff Allen (center) of USAID and David Dyer (right) of the project staff. Photo: USAID/Sri Lanka

New machines cut coir processing time
USAID funding is introducing small businesses to new technology to improve coir processing, benefiting more than 540 families. Coir is the fibrous husk of a coconut, which is woven to produce products for domestic use and export. New equipment will accelerate production by eliminating the six months of soaking time traditionally needed to soften coconuts. New and wider looms will help processors produce a larger geo-textile mat for the export market and traditional products such as mattresses, rugs and twine. In addition, 300 entrepreneurs who lost their businesses in the tsunami received coir spinning wheels, bicycles, lace drums, and sewing machines.

view more Sri Lanka Tsunami Updates
view USAID Regional Tsunami Update (12 Oct 05, pdf)
view USAID Tsunami Website


Key Programs
Representatives of local forums including North, and South gather for the People's forum for Peace, Democracy and Good Governance in Colombo on Monday 29 March 2004.  The aim of the forum was to discuss district resolutions, joint resolutions and to hand over the Manifesto to political representatives. Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe Democracy and Governance: The Democracy and Governance Program supports the peace process through strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders and civil society organizations in conflict resolution and peace advocacy. The program also supports decentralized government by providing training and technical assistance to provincial and local government to strengthen skills in administration, financial management and service delivery. Community empowerment is an important feature of the program. The program also supports decentralized government system in the country by providing training and technical assistance to local authorities to strengthen skills in administration, financial management and service delivery.
Tea is brewed for tasting; diversity and value is also added to the tea process at Euro scan Exports/ Mlesna in Colombo on Friday 25 June 2004. Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe Economic Growth: The Economic Growth Program provides technical assistance to the government and private sector, promotes business education for youth, provides expert advice on monetary policy and statistical analysis, and explores ways to extend access to information and communication technologies to rural areas. The mission is also involved in regional programs involving energy and the environment.
Patients walk using their prosthetic limbs at the Jaffna Jaipur Center for Disability Rehablitation on Tuesday 17 February 2004.  The center is one of several local partners though which USAID support a comprehensive, holistic rehabilitation program for people with disabilities.  This is part of the Motivation Charitable Trust-assisted network.  Activities of the program include international-standard training of prosthetic and orthotic technicians, introduction of polypropylene and more appropriate modern wheeled mobility devices and orthotics, as well as the development of rehabilitation services.  Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe/USAID Humanitarian Assistance:The Humanitarian Assistance Program focuses on addressing the needs of especially vulnerable population groups after two decades of armed conflict in Sri Lanka. These include people living with physical disabilities, children and young people affected by violence and the social disruption of the armed conflict, and victims of torture, and people at-risk or living with HIV/AIDS.
Two girls react during an opening ceremony of rural community center near Tangalle, in the Hambantota District in the deep South of Sri Lanka, in early March, 2004. The community center construction was funded by USAID/OTI. Photo: USAID/Gemunu Amarasinghe Transition Initiatives: The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) program awards small-grants to mostly community-level organizations to increase awareness and understanding of key peace-related issues, as well as to enhance collaboration among diverse groups - ethnic, political or otherwise - to set and address local priorities.

 



welcome
As the 50th anniversary of USAID support and assistance to the people of Sri Lanka approaches, we are pleased to launch the new mission web site. Since the tsunami, the USAID has worked to restore normalcy to thousands of people who lost their loved ones, their homes and livelihoods. Since the day after the tsunami, recovery and reconstruction from its devastating effects has become the primary focus of our mission activities.

At the same time, USAID continues its ongoing programs to help the country address some of the issues impeding development. These programs are providing support for an enduring peace after many years of the armed conflict, improving democratic governance, providing humanitarian assistance, and promoting economic growth. We work with the Government, private sector and civil society. The Mission's new five year Strategy that began in 2004 has already yielded successes at both the national and community level.

press releases

14 November 05: U.S. Supports Sri Lankan Election Monitoring

8 September 05: Fishermen and Tradesmen to Benefit from U.S. Funded $33 Million Contract for Post-Tsunami Infrastructure Projects

17 August 05: USAID Announces Launch of Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program

12 August 05: Vehicle emissions testing promises cleaner air to millions

view more...


tsunami response

USAID/Sri Lanka Tsunami Update (02 Dec 05)
USAID/Sri Lanka Tsunami Update (12 Oct 05)
USAID/Sri Lanka Tsunami Update (28 Sep 05)


aid in action

11/05: Introduction of new technology promises boost to coir industry
09/05: Youth Parliament brings bright young minds together for a better future in Sri Lanka
08/05: Kids go back to school in war-torn North
07/05: Helping restore the legacy of ‘Ceylon cinnamon’
07/05: Presidential host finds bittersweet fortune
06/05: Sherman 'transitions', OTI highlights ‘tangible benefits of peace’
06/05: USAID Supports ‘Theatre of Inclusiveness’
05/05: 100 Days to Cleaner Air
05/05: Rubble trumps trouble in Ampara
05/05: Turning Waste into Profits and Jobs
05/05: USAID helps ‘Revive’ Sri Lanka tourism
04/05: Shelters mean ‘real homes’ for tsunami displaced
04/05: Providing job skills for the disabled
03/05: Tsunami cleanup unites Sri Lanka
02/05: A small village gets big visitors
02/05: Textile spinners' lives take a turn for the better
01/05: Drama helps children cope with trauma
09/04: New rubber product rejuvenates industry


contact us
USAID/Colombo
Department of State
Washington, DC 20521-6100
Tel: 011+9411.247.2855
Fax: 011+9411.247.2850