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USAID-led Project Opens Playground in Habaraduwa Beach USAID has now built 87 playgrounds to Help Children in Tsunami-Affected Regions Colombo, April 8, 2008: The devastating tsunami that hit on December 26, 2004 caused considerable loss of life, injury and destruction of public and private property. Included in the damage was the loss of many protected and safe areas for children to play in, which has added an obstacle to their emotional and physical recovery. The Playgrounds Project, which began in the summer of 2005, is a two-and-a-half-year joint initiative aiming to build 88 quality playgrounds for tsunami-affected children, thereby promoting their physical and emotional recovery and developmental growth. The $2 million project was implemented by the Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya, an indigenous non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka, with support from the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund, USAID and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, with input from the U.S. National Parks and Recreation Association. Now, 87 parks later, the project is in its final stage.(More) U.S. State Department Donates Anti-Terrorism Equipment to National Police
The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Antiterrorism Assistance donated approximately $220,000 worth of equipment to the Sri Lanka National Police (SLNP) in a brief ceremony Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at the American Embassy. Ambassador Robert Blake and IGP Victor Perera spoke at the event. The purpose of the equipment is to sustain and enhance the critical capabilities of the security forces of Sri Lanka in their efforts to fight terrorism. The donation consists of three Explosives Incident Countermeasures kits, two Post-Blast Investigation kits and two Hostage Negotiations kits, which will be divided between the SLNP and the Special Task Force. (More) U.S. Stands by Human Rights Report; Looks Forward to Continued DialogueColombo, March 14, 2008 – U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama held a constructive discussion on March 14 of the 2007 Report on Human Rights Practices in Sri Lanka that was released this week by the Department of State. The U.S. Government stands by the report. Our goal in the annual, Congressionally-mandated Reports on Human Rights Practices, which are issued for 196 countries, is always to be fair and objective. We welcome information from governments and other parties to correct what are perceived to be inaccuracies. We look forward to continued dialogue with the government to address human rights concerns in Sri Lanka.
March 10, 2008: Seethawaka Industrial Park, Avissawella. Ladies and Gentleman, I'm honored that my good friend Ashroff Omar, CEO of Brandix, asked me to join you this morning on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the new Textured Jersey Lanka facility here in Avissawella. This is an important occasion, not just for Brandix and its partners, but also as a mark of progress toward greater integration in Sri Lanka's apparel industry. By bringing fabric production on shore, you are diversifying the industry and reducing costs. These together will enhance your efficiency and competitiveness. Already, the apparel industry represents the leading edge of manufacturing success in Sri Lanka. Companies like Brandix, and now Textured Jersey Lanka, demonstrate the potential for firms in other domestic industries to make it big as exporters of top quality manufactured goods. (More)
 Members of NAWA prepare to distribute toys | and books to children at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. New York students donate toys to children at Maharagama Cancer Hospital |
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| Robert R Gabor, Head Economic and Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy Colombo |
Robert Gabor, U.S. Embassy Colombo Head of Economic and Commercial Affairs, addressed the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Executive Board on February 28 to discuss the state of the U.S. economy. Gabor pointed to the strong growth -- of income, jobs, productivity, exports, and imports -- in the United States since 2001 as an important context against which to evaluate recent indications of a slowing U.S. economy. (Full text)
Colombo, February 29, 2008 – If you are interested in knowing more about what Americans are thinking in this historic election year or to what extent regional or social-economic or other factors might play in their voting patterns; or would like to get the latest on U.S. foreign policy concerning a particular country or region or issue; or want information on American arts and culture or its education system, then check out the new web site “America.gov” Produced by the U.S. State Department, the site delivers current information about all these subjects, and more. (More)
Colombo; February 28, 2008 -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) are pleased to announce the opening of the newly-constructed eight km of low maintenance, durable roads and drainage structures throughout the Pottuvil division of the Ampara District.
In the past, the roads flooded and became almost impassable; today, with the professionally-constructed roads and drainage structures, residents and visitors can travel with ease. The finished roads have had a major impact on the community in Pottuvil. Because the roads are now paved, the reduction of dust in the town is significant. Additionally, the local population’s access to many essential services, including schools, health clinics and places of worship, has been dramatically improved by the new transportation systems. (More)
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USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn |
January 28, 2008: Gathered here at the Tissamaharama Base Hospital, local school children helped hospital staff and residents of Tissamaharama welcome special guests, including A.G. Piyasiri, Southern Provincial Health Minister, Dr. D.M. Dharmasena, District Medical Officer, and Rebecca Cohn, Mission Director for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to celebrate the official opening on January 23 of two new USAID-funded hospital wards and sanitary facilities.
Following the tsunami tragedy of late 2004, the Hambantota Base Hospital was temporarily closed due to damages, forcing the Tissamaharama hospital and staff to take on the increased patient load. Since then, this hospital has been upgraded to the level of “base” hospital, serving a larger population and more specialized functional areas, such as pediatrics. (More)
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| Kirinda Harbor fishermen gather for the opening of the USAID-funded mechanics workshop. |
Kirinda, January 23, 2008: On a hot afternoon in January, hundreds of fishermen paused their midday activities to join local and national government officials, religious and community leaders, and representatives of the US government to officially open the new United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Kirinda Harbor Mechanics Workshop at the base of the Kirinda Harbor in the south.
Attendees included Mr. Asanga Abeyagoonesekara, Chairman of the Ceylon Fisheries Harbor Corporation (CFHC), Mr. G. Piyasena, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, and USAID Mission Director, Rebecca Cohn. During the ceremony, Chairman Abeyagoonesekara remarked that he was proud that everyone could come together “and work so hard to create a new beginning for the fishermen of Kirinda.” (More)
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Local school children enjoy the new |
USAID has now built 80 playgrounds in Tsunami Affected Regions to Help Children
Negombo, Gampaha District, January 23, 2008: On a warm January morning, children and adults alike gathered near brightly colored swings and slides at the Negombo Beach Park in the Gampaha District just north of Colombo. The congregation was not waiting in line for rides, but was instead gathering to celebrate the opening of a new playground built through joint funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. (More)
Colombo, January 18, 2008: Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Sri Lanka January 17-18 as part of a regional trip to south Asia to meet with his naval counterparts. Admiral Willard reviewed ongoing maritime cooperation, including naval training and exchanges, between the United States and Sri Lanka. In Colombo, he met with senior military officials and called on President Rajapaksa. In addition, he visited Trincomalee to discuss U.S.-Sri Lankan cooperation against LTTE terrorism. Admiral Willard reaffirmed the support of the United States to Sri Lanka in defending against terrorist activity through cooperation on maritime security. He noted that improvements in human rights protection could lead to enhanced cooperation.
Money has been used to help those with the least and most in need
Colombo, January 18, 2008: US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert O. Blake has announced that over the past year, the US Government has provided the people of Sri Lanka with over USD 26 million to support ongoing humanitarian efforts. The funding has been provided for a variety of purposes to meet the requirements of internally displaced persons (IDPs) including water, sanitation and hygiene; humanitarian coordination; and direct food and logistics assistance.
Since early 2006, renewed conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has displaced more than 300,000 people. While most have been resettled by the government, these returnees also require support for economic recovery, as do more than 200,000 IDPs who remain displaced from previous years of conflict or from the December 2004 tsunami. (More)
Colombo, December 17, 2007: Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131. This increase allows the State Department to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the non-immigrant visa application process. This increase applies both to non-immigrant visas issued on machine-readable foils in passports and to border crossing cards issued to certain applicants in Mexico.
Applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee before January 1 will be processed only if they are scheduled and appear for a visa interview before January 31. Applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee and appear for visa interviews after January 31, 2008 must pay the difference -- $31 -- before they will be interviewed. (More)
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USAID Director Rebecca Cohn and HELLENIC AID’s |
Colombo – December 28, 2007: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and HELLENIC AID, the Development Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Greece, have recently agreed to jointly undertake the reconstruction of the Anuradhapura Junction Market in the tsunami- and conflict-affected eastern seaport of Trincomalee.
The joint $700,000 project will see the former market rebuilt and expanded, while also providing training to vendors and local authorities on market management and maintenance and hygiene promotion.
Construction has already begun and should be completed by next spring. (More)
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| Naval Ophthalmologist Dr. Ken Kubis discusses the medical treatment being carried out on Foamulah with U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake and the head of the Foamulah Health Care Center December 17. |
Colombo, December 21, 2007: – An eleven-person team of United States Navy and Marine medical professionals, working with colleagues in the Maldivian public health care system and armed forces, completed a medical and dental assistance mission yesterday that benefited residents of Addoo Atoll and Foamulah.
The training and treatment took place from December 10 to 19, 2007. The American group, comprised of a seven-person dental team and three-person ophthalmology team on Foamulah and an additional medical training team on Hithadhoo, worked side-by-side with Maldivian medical personnel to augment local health care systems. Over 10 days on Foamulah, the teams screened more than 500 patients, performing over 100 refractions and 12 cataract surgeries. The dental team assisted a total of 180 patients with extractions of non-viable teeth, as well as training local nurses and giving presentations on dental hygiene to local students. Schoolchildren received toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss as encouragement to continue healthy dental hygiene. (More)
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Minister for Vocational and Technical Training |
U.S. Government-funded Vocational Training Center Opens in Ambalangoda
Colombo, December 21, 2007: Minister for Vocational and Technical Training Piyasena Gamage and U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore together opened a newly rebuilt vocational training center (VTC) in Ambalangoda on December 18, 2007.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the opening, Mr. Moore said, “The U.S. Government is honored to support the construction of a facility that will provide greater opportunities for local youth – for the next generation in your great country.” In his speech, Minister Gamage emphasized the importance of vocational training to economic growth at the local level, and he thanked the U.S. Government for its extensive cooperation with his ministry on other projects throughout Sri Lanka. (More)
Colombo, December 06, 2007: The U.S. Embassy in Colombo will begin collecting ten fingerprints from all immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, implementing a procedure being put into place at all U.S. visa-issuing facilities worldwide. This builds on the collection of two fingerprints that began in 2004, and represents the latest evolution in using biometric technology to enhance the security of travel to the United States. Fingerprints will be collected electronically on the day of interview. The process only takes about 30 seconds. (More)
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USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn (left) |
COLOMBO, November 19, 2007: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with Microsoft to introduce a new training curriculum developed with the assistance of the American information technology giant for four key sectors of the Sri Lankan economy.
USAID and Microsoft are co-financing the $236,000 project, which will be implemented by InfoShare, a nonprofit firm that develops IT solutions to nonprofit development organizations.
Microsoft specially tailored the worldwide curriculum, known as Unlimited Potential, to boost Sri Lanka’s agricultural, apparel, tourism, and media/journalism sectors using IT. (More)
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COLOMBO, November 15, 2007 - John Ferguson (Pianist/Executive Director), Michael Parks Masterson (vocalist/dancer/choreographer and director) and Quae Simpson (ballet and Hip-Hop dancer) from “American Voices” presented “Rhythm Nation”, a dazzling performance of hip hop and contemporary Broadway music and dance in two shows in Sri Lanka.
The first, on November 10 at Trinity College in Kandy, also featured 15 of the very talented dancers from the Belwood Cultural Centre, near Kandy, who participated in 2-1/2 days of workshops conducted by American Voices, and presented two finely-choreographed hip-hop numbers, showcasing the difficult steps they had learned, as their “graduation.” Several of the Bellwood dancers and musicians also presented traditional Kandian and other dances that were well received by the audience. (More)
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Ambassador Robert Blake receiving a plaque from |
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U.S. Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. and |
Colombo, November 9, 2007: U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert O. Blake, Jr. formally handed over a radar-based maritime surveillance system and several Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) to the Sri Lankan Navy on November 8 at the Naval Dock Yard in Trincomalee. Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy, received the equipment on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government.
The equipment was provided under Section 1206 of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act, which provides authority for the U.S. Department of Defense to assist in equipping and training partner nations to deter global terrorist activity. (More)
U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake (second right) |
Colombo, October 18, 2007: A new program to combat human trafficking funded by the United States and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will help law enforcement officials identify instances of trafficking in persons and increase the rate of prosecution of those responsible for the practice in Sri Lanka.
Building on IOM’s earlier initiatives to curb human trafficking here, the $500,000 program, co-funded by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will train 500 law enforcement and government officials on human trafficking, improve methods of data collection and dissemination to track trafficking cases, and enhance coordination among government and nongovernmental organizations. (More)
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U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake |
The first consignment of food assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), valued at US$5 million, was handed over to the Government by United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake at a function held today at the government warehouse complex at Orugodawatte.
This forms part of a total food donation of US$14 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), with another shipment valued at an additional US$9 million set to arrive later in the year.(More)
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Ambassador Robert Blake reads from |
Ambassador Robert Blake appeared at the Colombo International Book Fair with his family for a televised children’s book reading organized by Sadeepa Book Publishers.
The Ambassador read ‘One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale’ by Demi, one of his own children’s favorite books. An ardent supporter of youth education and reading, the Ambassador encouraged the enthusiastic crowd of over two hundred children and parents to read and write their own stories. The Colombo International Book Fair ran from September 08 -16 2007 at the BMICH.
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| Members of the medical team at work |
A nine-person team of United States Air Force (USAF) medics, working alongside colleagues in the Sri Lankan armed forces, recently completed a medical/dental humanitarian assistance mission that benefited civilians living in the recently-liberated eastern region of Sri Lanka. The bilateral engagement took place from 3-10 September 2007.
The USAF team, comprised of a four-person dental team and five-person medical team, worked side-by-side with medics representing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as local civilian medical personnel. Over four days in Kappalthurai, Echilanpattu and Vakarai, the team treated more than 1,900 patients, addressing the health needs of a population recovering from the December 2004 tsunami and separatist conflict. The dental team completed over 200 extractions of non-viable teeth. (More)
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USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn right |
Under the leadership of the Spice Council, the Sri Lankan spice industry opened a new Model Spice Processing and Training Center in Matale. The center was built with assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through The Competitiveness Program (TCP).
TCP is helping the Sri Lankan private sector to compete more successfully in international markets, leading to more foreign investment, and more better-paying jobs that will help raise the standard of living for the country’s rural areas, including Matale.
As part of USAID assistance to the spice industry, TCP helped create the Spice Council, providing them with short term technical assistance, market research, workshops, study tours and visits to trade shows. (More)
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On August 28, 2007, Cultural Affairs Officer Kathleen Fox helped to distribute scholarships of books, uniforms and other materials to over four hundred Muslim schoolchildren at the annual Meeladun Nabi Prize Giving Ceremony hosted by the Islamic Welfare Association of Dharga Town.
The Association organizes speech, singing and short story writing competitions at multiple schools in the Beruwela electorate, as well as social welfare activities throughout the community. The U.S. Embassy donated Rs. 30,000 for exercise and text books for the outstanding students.
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| U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore (center) breaks ground on the Anuradhapura Junction market reconstruction project accompanied by Government Agent T.T.R. Silva, Trincomalee Urban Council Chairman S.G. Mugunthan, and Matej Novak of People in Need. Photo: USAID/Cory Johnston |
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Hellenic Aid, broke ground on a project to rebuild the Anuradhapura Junction Market that promises to restore the market as a center for commerce and a place of social interaction between residents of all social classes and ethnic groups.
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore, along with Trincomalee Government Agent Major Gen. T.T.R. Silva and Trincomalee Urban Council Chairman S.G. Mugunthan, inaugurated the market, which is being restored under a grant to the Czech Republic-based humanitarian NGO People In Need and co-funded by Hellenic Aid, the development arm of the Greek government. (More)
United States Department of the Treasury, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), recently completed a two-year mission that presented a wide range of education and training seminars and workshops for 900 Sri Lankan professionals. Professionals from U.S. Treasury, the Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance and Planning and SLIDA presented the seminars and workshops.
According to Dr. Regis Chapman, U.S. Treasury’s resident budget advisor in Sri Lanka, “the workshops, seminars and class lectures were aimed at exposing participants to concepts and practices in public sector budgeting, program and policy analysis, and principles and practices of good governance.” (More)
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| Chamal Rajapakse, Minister of Ports and Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management, and Terry J. White, Counselor for Press and Cultural Affairs for the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, opened the Samagipura Reading Room of the Hambantota Urban Council |
Two libraries and three reading halls in Hambantota have received a facelift thanks to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Last week, U.S. Embassy officials and USAID staff joined the Hambantota communities to celebrate the re-opening of the Indivinna Library (under the jurisdiction of the Urban Council) and the Pradeshiya Sabha Library in a one-day shramadana.
Mr. Chamal Rajapakse, the Honorable Minister for Ports and Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management, also took part in these events July 27, helping to re-open one library and reading hall, reflecting the importance of these facilities to the local community.(More)
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USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn discusses |
Over 1,000 representatives from national, provincial and local governments, the private sector, NGOs and donor agencies convened in Colombo this week for the second annual National Symposium on Leading Practices in Local Governance. Hosted by the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils, the program was sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Transparent Accountable Local Governance (TALG) Program. (More)
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US Embassy Charge’ d’Affaires James Moore, |
The final version of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan was presented on July 28 to senior representatives of the Government, Parliament and Judiciary during the National Conference on Anti-Corruption at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The plan, a milestone in the USAID- supported Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption Program (ACP), proposes actions to be taken by government, civil society, the private sector, the media, and donors ─ to reduce corruption and enhance accountability.
The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided $2.3 million to the ACP as part of its $135 million tsunami recovery and reconstruction program in Sri Lanka. The ACP was put in place to help key Sri Lankan Government institutions and civil society organizations strengthen measures to combat corruption and monitor the disbursement of tsunami-related development assistance. (More)
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USAID Sri Lanka Mission Director Rebecca Cohn presents |
The rubber industry began in Sri Lanka in the 1800s, but only recently became a thriving manufacturing sector. To support Sri Lanka’s re-emergence into the global rubber market, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) helped launch a three-year, graduateship course in rubber technology at the Plastics & Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (PRISL) headquarters in Rajagiriya.
The Sri Lankan rubber industry realized the need for more trained personnel operating at higher technological and managerial levels as competition has increased due to innovations and challenges from emerging rubber industries in countries such as China and Vietnam. (More)
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Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy in Colombo |
Two young cadets of the Sri Lanka Air Force recently received Certificates of Appointment to the prestigious United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Mr. James Moore, the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, presented the documents to Viludani Yatawara – the first Sri Lankan woman cadet officer to get selected to the program – and to Chamara Wijesinghe.
The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge essential for leadership and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. Each cadet graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a Pilot Officer in the Air Force.(More)
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USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn cuts the ribbon on |
In a new private-public partnership, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) dedicated a cyber-center that links international and local businesses to bring modern information technology to some of the furthest reaches of Sri Lanka.
The cyber-center, known as Easy Seva, the first of 25 that will be launched over the next four months by the US-based Synergy Strategy Group (SSG) with support from USAID. Additional implementing partners include multi-national firms Qualcomm, Dialog Telekom and Microsoft, and local companies InfoShare, the National Development Bank, and Lanka Orix Leasing Company.(More)
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