World Bank Funds $125mn for Sustainable Tourism Development and to Build Capacity in Sri Lanka

08th November 2010, www.island.lk

"This project is intended to augment resource transfers and building capacity of local authorities, so that they are well equipped to deliver much needed local services to the citizens in a accountable manner," the World Bank said.

US$ 18 million would fund the Sustainable Tourism Development Project which aims to facilitate environmentally and socially sound investments in the tourism sector, focusing particularly on the East. The project would also develop capacity in the sector’s institutional structure so as to improve efficiency in service delivery.

"The Eastern Province of Sri Lanka has enormous tourism potential," said Michael Wong, World Bank Private Sr. Sector Development Specialist and project Task Team Leader. "This project will help to expand economic opportunities in the East, making the tourism sector more competitive and inclusive while maintaining Sri Lanka’s heritage and ecological environment."

The concessionary loans have a 20-year maturity period with a 10-year grace period.

Sri Lanka in World’s Top 18 Biodiversity Hotspots

07th November 2010, www.sundayobserver.lk, By Daya Gamage

"Sri Lankan rainforests are home tonearly all of the country’s endemic plants and about 75 percent of theendemic animals. The rich array of fauna and flora places Sri Lankaamong the world’s top 18 biodiversity hotspots.

UNESCO has designated four natural forests in Sri Lanka as UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Sinharaja, Knuckles, the Peak Wildernes andHorton Plains. The Slender Loris, long thought to be extinct, was recently rediscovered after 60 years in the Central Highlands. We have set a target of increasing the country’s forest cover to 33% of the land area by year 2016.”

Dr. Palith Kohona, Sri Lanka ambassador to the United Nations made theabove remarks in the course of his presentation to the US General Assembly’s Sustainable Development Session at New York.

The Ambassador further stated: “We will support REDD-Plus activities, which are country driven and voluntary. These activities must receive adequate predictable and sustainable financing and technological support. Indigenous people and local communities are also involved in the implementation of REDD plus process.”

On the climate change agenda Dr. Kohona made the following presentation to the UN Second Committee of Sustainable Development that dealt with the climate change issue.