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Political turmoil in Sri Lanka 'casts doubt' on aid flows, donors say
Associated Press,
Fri January 23, 2004 07:19 EST .
SHIMALI SENANAYAKE - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Sri Lanka - 's bitter political power struggle threatens to derail a fragile peace process and re-ignite a civil war, ``casting doubt'' on the flow of more financial aid, international donors said Friday. The meeting was to follow-up an aid conference in Tokyo last June, at which donors from more than 50 countries and international aid organizations pledged US$4.5 billion to help rebuild Sri Lanka - . But the release of the funds is dependent on sufficient progress toward a lasting peace with the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam guerrillas. The Tiger rebels boycotted the meeting because of an ongoing power struggle between Sri Lanka - 's president and rival prime minister, which continues to create instability. The Tigers launched a bloody rebellion in 1983, angry over what ethnic Tamils claimed was unfair treatment at the hands of the ruling Sinhalese majority. More than 65,000 people perished in the ensuing civil war. Peace efforts have been frozen since November when President Chandrika Kumaratunga seized control of three key ministries including the defense ministry, considered vital for leading the negotiations with Tamil rebels from Wickremesinghe's government. Hopes of ending Sri Lanka - 's 19-year civil war have further deteriorated since Kumaratunga's party formed an alliance Tuesday with a Marxist party to block peace efforts by Wickremesinghe's government whom the parties accuse of giving too many concessions to the rebels, jeopardizing the island's security. Chief rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham on Wednesday condemned the alliance as an ``anti-peace political pact,'' and warned of a possible return to war in Sri Lanka - . However, Akashi said although the alliance was a ``cause for concern,'' it was not a ``cause for alarm.'' Many believe that Kumaratunga formed the alliance as a first step to a snap election. Heads of the United Nations Development Program and Asian Development Bank participated in the meeting, along with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. ``It was a useful meeting ... good time for stock taking,'' said John Cooney, head of ADB. Akashi said he will have a meeting with representatives of Norway, the United States and the European Union, the four co-chairs of the donors, on Feb. 17 to further discuss Sri Lanka - 's situation. Japan is Sri Lanka - 's largest financial backer, and has stepped up diplomatic assistance to end the conflict permanently since the Feb. 2002 Norwegian-mediated cease-fire was agreed upon. Last year, Japan made the largest aid commitment to Sri Lanka - , promising US$1 billion over three years. But it has warned the pledge is at risk if stalled peace talks don't resume.
Published: Fri Jan 23 10:02:43 EST 2004
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