August 25, 2015:  As President Sirisena said last Saturday at a land-return ceremony in Sampur, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka’s efforts has attracted support from the international community.  The United States joined other international donors and will provide $1 million to support resettlement efforts in Sampur as part of its continuing commitment to strengthen Sri Lanka’s peace and development.

 

“Our goal is to help Sri Lankans around the country overcome the effects of conflict and displacement, improve the lives of their families and communities, and live with dignity,” said U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap.

 

The first $100,000 will be managed by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide newly-resettled communities with a range of services and means of support to meet their basic needs.  Another $900,000 is planned by the U.S. Embassy to build two schools in the Sampur region with facilities to support and house displaced families.

 

This $1 million in aid is part of broader U.S. efforts to build schools, hospitals, markets, and other facilities for people in former conflict-affected communities.  Other programs include helping provide job opportunities and entrepreneurship skills for people across Sri Lanka.

 

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