Sri Lanka has expressed its thanks to the European Union for supporting various livelihood projects for the internally displaced, especially in the Northern and Eastern regions.
An invitation was also extended for high level participation from Europe, at international trade fair ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2012’, when Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka, met a visiting 4- member EU Parliamentary delegation from the Socialists and Democrats Party (S andD) last week.
The EU delegation comprised parliamentarians - David Martin, Richard Howitt, Ms. Ana Gomes and Ms. Brigitte Bataille (Policy Advisor and Assistant of S and D Party), the ministry said.
Briefing the delegation on Sri Lanka’s progress on resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihoods of IDPs, Minister Bathiudeen said: “We have already provided livelihood training for former combatants through the successful efforts of Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training and will continue to assist them.
For instance, on January 20, a special project will see many such individuals in Mannar District receiving livelihood support through the Divineguma project.
We are also now discussing with donor agencies for more support for IDP livelihood assistance.
In fact the National Enterprise Development Agency (NEDA) under my Ministry has also enlisted German government support through GIZ for SME entrepreneurs from this group.”
Minister Bathiudeen informed the visiting delegation that the members of Sri Lankan Diaspora are also keen to return. “They want to invest here too” he added. |
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