Action plan for 'Regaining Sri Lanka' programme

In order to optimise pledges made at the Tokyo Donor Conference, the government has formulated an action plan under the Regaining Sri Lanka (RSL) programme.

The Sunday Leader learns that priorities for the utilisation of foreign assistance pledged at Tokyo are being established and budgeted for utilisation in a four year programme as a part of this plan.

At the June donor conference in Tokyo, Sri Lanka was pledged an unprecedented aid package exceeding Rs.400 billion. Among the concerns then expressed was the country's poor track record of aid utilisation, which has been under 20% in the past.

The proposed action plan will, among other things, identify special roles and objectives for all economic lines and regional ministries.

It is understood that a Donor Assistance Co-ordinating Committee (DACC) is also being established to ensure the rapid progress of this process. This committee comprising of representatives from international agencies, bilateral donors and civil society, will be chaired by Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda.

Informed sources stated that since there is a need to ensure that the dividends of peace and the benefits of economic reforms are felt by the poor, more emphasis will be placed on several key programme priorities consistent with the existing RSL programme.

These immediate priorities include the comprehensive rehabilitation of the rural road network, completion of outstanding rural electrification programmes, improved access to housing (through easier access to housing finance), improved job opportunities particularly for unemployed graduates and greater access to tertiary and vocational/educational opportunities.


Other key programme priorities are the substantial modernisation of the agricultural sector, effective implementation of the youth corps programme, development of the Hambantota port and consolidating and building upon existing and successful donor-funded projects.

The DACC will carry the authority of the Economic Policy Committee in determining the planning and utilisation of donor funds to be used in implementing the elements of the RSL action plan. It will work in conjunction with a strengthened and restructured Programme Management Committee (PMC).

A major responsibility of these committees will be to ensure that the above mentioned priorities are effectively financed and implemented. They will also be responsible for ensuring financial support for the implementation of the expanded RSL programme as well as for reconstruction and rehabilitation activities in the north-east.

They will work on the basis that adequate donor funds are to be made available to meet the requirements identified in the needs and assessments document for the north and east, which was presented in Tokyo.

According to informed sources, it is expected that the DACC would also include the active participation of the ministers and senior officials from the relevant line and regional ministries which are responsible for implementing various aspects of the expanded RSL action plan. It is also learnt that the committee will develop a comprehensive public education programme on the government's initiatives under the RSL programme.

The PMC would continue to be chaired by R. Paskaralingam. It would be expanded to include Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte, Economic Reforms Ministry Secretary, Hewagama, Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary, Ranjith Fernando, Governor, Central Bank, A.S. Jayawardena, Faiz Mohideen, Sujatha Cooray, Ken Balendra, Shanaka Jayasekera, Chrisantha Perera and John Earl.

The existing members of the PMC would continue as members, including Ananda Atukorala, Dr.Pat Alailima and Jim Robertson.


This committee will continue to act as a co-ordinator and facilitator to the ongoing work of the  functional steering committees and task forces established under RSL.