13 mn US funding, training for 100 lobby correspondents, refurbishment of media centre

… ready to work with new govt

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The US provided funds to the tune of Rs 1.92 bn to Parliament at the request of the previous UNP-led yahapalana government. Funds were utilized to refurbish Parliament’s Media centre, training of more than 100 lobby correspondents on parliamentary procedures and strengthening of House staff research capabilities.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in late Nov. 2016 launched a Rs. 1.92 billion (USD$13 mn) partnership with the Parliament of Sri Lanka to strengthen accountability and democratic governance in Sri Lanka.

In response to several questions as regards US funding raised by The Island, the US Embassy has sent us the following statement: “The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other US Government agencies, has provided a range of assistance to Sri Lanka over the last 70 years.  The support to Sri Lanka’s Parliament supported by USAID was provided at the request of the Sri Lankan government and in consultation with the Secretariat of the Parliament.  It has included the refurbishment of Parliament’s media center, modernizing Parliament’s offices, the training of more than 100 lobby correspondents on parliamentary procedures, non-partisan support for increasing the political participation of women and other underrepresented groups, and strengthening parliamentary staff research capabilities.  We look forward to collaborating with the new Parliament as requested.  Assistance provided by USAID conforms to development assistance agreements concluded by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United States Government.”

The embassy was responding to the following questions that were submitted as requested:

Q: Did Sri Lanka parliament utilise the entire amount of funds provided by the USAID?

Q: Did Sri Lanka parliament seek additional funding after the completion of the three-year project?

Q: Will you extend the same facility to the new Parliament?

Q: Would it be possible to know how the funds were spent? And projects funded by it?

Q: Did Sri Lanka project meet US standards?

Q: Are you (US embassy) satisfied with Sri Lanka project and do you believe USAID project helped strengthen accountability and democratic governance in Sri Lanka and achieved objectives?

 Q: Why is aid given to Sri Lanka channelled almost entirely through NGO outfits?

Why is the legitimately elected government bypassed when it needs international help, especially at a time when the country is fighting a pandemic better than most countries?

 Q: Is Sarvodaya a credible NGO, being more or less a family run organisation? (Recently US announced USD 1.5 mn in support of Sarvodaya).