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Sri Lanka
>> Regional Overview >> Sri Lanka Overview Program Data Sheet
383-005
USAID MISSION: Sri Lanka
PROGRAM TITLE: Democracy and Governance (Pillar: Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Peace, Good Governance, and Respect for Citizens’ Rights Promoted, 383-005
STATUS: New
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,500,000 DA; $3,000,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $2,000,000 DA; $4,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY2002 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY2005Summary: USAID’s program to facilitate enhanced democracy and governance and assist the victims of torture will—
- support the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) as it seeks to enhance its ability to govern effectively and support the GSL’s efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict;
- support civic education and enhance the ability of individuals and groups to constructively advocate for the full range of human, legal, and civil rights;
- support capacity development at the local government level;
- support free and fair electoral processes;
- address the immediate medical and mental health needs of individuals, particularly women and children, affected by systematic violence;
- expand the community-based capacity to respond to incidents of terror and meet the affected individuals' needs;
- provide legal advice and representation to victims of torture and their families;
- support the development and implementation of training programs on humanitarian law and human rights for government employees;
- assist to the Government of Sri Lanka improve case management systems and investigative techniques; and
- promote rights awareness amongst minority groups in the conflict zone.
Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: USAID will use FY 2002 funds provided for its core democracy and governance program to support the new government’s resolve and efforts to find a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka’s 18-year ethnic conflict. Local organizations will be assisted as they seek to support GSL efforts by building consensus on the need for peace and the societal changes necessitated by a peace agreement. USAID will also provide technical assistance and training to enhance the ability of legal-aid providers to work effectively in communities to support groups and individuals in protecting their rights. Civic education will be supported in elementary and secondary schools through technical assistance, teacher training, and provision of classroom materials. This support will enhance the ability of citizens to understand their rights, effectively carry out their responsibilities, and respect the rights of other citizens.
As devolution of power is expected to be part of a negotiated peace agreement, it is important that the local governments be prepared to undertake their responsibilities. USAID will provide support that will enhance local governments’ ability to deliver services and govern effectively. Recent elections demonstrated the need to increase confidence in the political process. Technical assistance and training will be provided to local voter education and monitoring groups, and perhaps to the election commission, to support improved election processes. The recently elected government seeks to undertake a number of reforms, including civil service, labor, electoral, and police reforms. FY 2002 funding will provide technical assistance and training to support selected reforms to enhance the government’s capacity to govern effectively. Generally, prospects for progress under the democracy and governance program are good.
Planned FY 2003 Program: The core democracy and governance program will continue funding activities in FY 2003. The Victims of Torture program will assist victims, their families, and the communities within the conflict zone. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL), with third-party mediation provided by the Government of Norway (GON), has entered into a constructive dialogue with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). As part of the GSL’s engagement with the LTTE, the parties to the conflict have implemented a cease-fire as one of the steps to peace talks. Travel restrictions to and from the conflict zone and the economic embargo have been eased. The new climate has created an opportunity for addressing the needs of victims of torture and their families. Broader programs will be implemented with the minority communities of the North and the East. In order to prevent future torture, programs will be implemented to promote behavioral change.
The program will assist in providing adequate redress to victims of human rights violations and provide protection from future violations. GSL and PVO initiatives to train government employees in human rights and humanitarian law, investigative techniques, and case management of complaints will be supported. The program also will promote awareness among the most vulnerable communities to ensure knowledge of legal rights as well as provision of counseling, legal and other support services. The program will support civic education in the schools; will strengthen citizen, community and public and private institutional knowledge of human rights and the law; and develop community-based advocacy to prevent human rights violations.
The program will target the provision of specialized psychological and counseling services for victims and survivors of torture and systematic violence. It will recruit and train individuals from communities in the North and East to respond to incidents of terror and systematic violence in their own communities. Assessment of long-term community needs for medical and counseling services and logistical support will be conducted. The program will include community-based awareness campaigns to promote knowledge of depression, trauma, and psychological stress. Support groups for survivors facilitated by trained counselors and community resource persons will be established.
The planned FY 2003 program includes funds from USAID’s conflict prevention initiative.
SUBMISSION OF THIS PROGRAM DATA SHEET CONSTITUTES FORMAL NOTIFICATION OF USAID’S INTENT TO OBLIGATE FY 2002 FUNDS FOR THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE. Performance and Results: The election of the new government provides a significant opportunity to support activities that will facilitate the peace process and enhance governance. The new government has thus far demonstrated its intent to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, as well as to undertake numerous reforms that will strengthen its ability to govern effectively. As a result, USAID’s democracy and governance programs can now seek to address some of the most critical issues facing Sri Lanka. Past results have been mixed due to lack of government will and resolve on the part of the populace. The recent election results indicate citizens want constructive changes of the type advocated by the new government.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: To be determined.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
383-005 Peace, Good Governance, and Respect for Citizen's Rights Promoted DA ESF Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 0 0 Expenditures 0 0 Unliquidated 0 0 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 0 0 Expenditures 0 0 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 0 0 Expenditures 0 0 Unliquidated 0 0 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 0 0 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 1,500 3,000 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 1,500 3,000 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 2,000 4,000 Future Obligations 0 0 Est. Total Cost 3,500 7,000
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
