Karthika

Sri Lanka: Wolfenson concerned about NGO funds

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/...Z?OpenDocument

The World Bank President James Wolfenson called on President Chandrika
Kumaratunga at the Presidential Suite of her hotel in Islamabad
yesterday, to discuss further World Bank assistance for the
reconstruction of infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

Wolfenson stressed it would be imperative that Sri Lanka puts in place
quick measures to monitor the large amount of funds that are flowing
into the country for tsunami relief, particularly through
non-governmental organizations.

"There would naturally be apprehensions both in Sri Lanka and overseas
about these funds being optimally utilized for the benefit of the
people affected by the December 26th disaster," he said.

The World Bank Chief was in Sri Lanka with UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan last month, and toured the tsunami-hit areas in the country to
get first hand experience of the devastation caused by the tidal wave
tragedy.

President Kumaratunga assured that the government has already put in
place mechanisms for the General Treasury to follow accepted fiscal
procedure in the use of these donations.

"Measures are now underway to ensure that funds received though the
NGOs and their relief activities in Sri Lanka follow government
guidelines," she said.

The Sri Lankan President also expressed appreciation for the continued
commitment of the World Bank and thanked for its concern about the
latest disaster in her country.

The World Bank has decided to allocate US $ 75 million out of existing
projects for emergency relief and reconstruction activities, for
reconstruction projects in Sri Lanka by the end of this week.

Associated with President Kumaratunga was Foreign Minister Lakshman
Kadirgamar.