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Britain, encouraged by peace efforts, doubles development aid to Sri Lanka
Associated Press,
Wed January 29, 2003 11:01 EST .
SHIMALI SENANAYAKE - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Britain said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka - 's peace process could be ``an example to the rest of the world'' on dealing with terrorism, and vowed to nearly double its development assistance to the country to 15 million pounds (US$24.6 million) this year. ``I don't think the people of Sri Lanka - really quite understand how much importance the rest of the world places on the peace process,'' said British Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien. ``We want Sri Lanka - to be an example to the rest of the world on how to deal with a problem of terrorism.'' ``We are tremendously encouraged by the progress of the peace process,'' O'Brien said at a public lecture in the capital, Colombo. He was speaking on ``New Threats to International Security.'' The Tigers, accused of suicide bombing and assassinations of political leaders, have carried out numerous commando-style attacks on airports, banks, hotels and election rallies. Britain outlawed the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam as a terrorist organization in 2001. The move froze millions dollars of the group's funds and hindered its access to money from thousands of Tamil refugees in Britain. However, the Tigers' chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, holds a British passport and lives in London. The group is also banned in the United States, India, Canada and Australia. O'Brien said Britain was raising its development assistance to Sri Lanka - this year to 15 million pounds (US$24.6 million) in 2003 from 8 million pounds (US$13 million) last year, and will donate a further 20 million (US$32 million) in 2004.
Published: Wed Jan 29 12:32:27 EST 2003
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