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| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
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Canada funds P-TOMS by Lionel Yodhasinghe Canada is now considering the possibility of funding the P-TOMS to enable it to begin the rebuilding effort in the selected tsunami- hit areas, Political and Economic Consular of the Canadian High Commission in Colombo Christina Pretontaine told the Sunday Observer. "We have not changed our stand in P-TOMS even after the recent judgement as P-TOMS would facilitate the identification, approval and monitoring of reconstruction projects in the selected districts. Canada hopes it would also pave the way for restarting peace talks", she said. But supporting the P-TOMS and funding it are two different processes. Although we supported the P-TOMS, the granting of funds towards it is a different process. However our government is considering how it could fund the P-TOMS", Ms.Christian said. Earlier Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll welcomed the signing of the P-TOMS. When Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin visited Sri Lanka in January, he pledged that Canada would help Sri Lanka's rebuilding program and the Canadian International Development Agency has announced a four-year strategy to support Sri Lanka's P-TOMS. As part of strategy, Canada will expand programming in three pre- tsunami sectors of focus governance, gender and economic well-being and two new sectors, environment, rehabilitation and management and fisheries. Canada has allocated $425 million towards relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in tsunami-affected countries and Sri Lanka would get grants from this allocation, she said. |
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